Introduction
Local council educational psychology services promote learning,
attainment and the healthy emotional development of children and
young people aged 0 to 19, through the application of
psychology. Educational psychologists offer assessment,
advice and support to parents, young people and teachers where
there is concern about the development, learning or behaviour of
children and young people. Educational psychologists usually
have responsibility for providing support to a number of different
schools in an area. They are employed by all local
authorities except district councils.
Work Environment
Most educational psychologists spend the majority of their time
working in schools and other educational settings. They also
spend some time at the council offices.
Normal working hours are 37 per week, but it might sometimes be
necessary to work evenings and weekends.
Daily Activities
Educational psychologists work in nurseries, schools, colleges and
special education units with children and their families, teachers,
other local authority officers and other agencies. Their aim
is to enhance children's learning and enable teachers to understand
children's psychological problems and meet any additional support
needs they may have. Educational psychologists encounter a
range of issues in their work. Some children have learning
difficulties in reading and writing, others have social and/or
emotional problems, which lead them to be disruptive in the
classroom. Others have specific learning disabilities such as
dyslexia. Sometimes educational psychologists might meet very
gifted children who have problems dealing with parents' or
teachers' expectations of them. An educational psychologist
will look at a young person's needs both at school and at
home. Educational psychology assessment can involve working
directly with children and/or indirectly with teachers and
parents.
Direct work involves:
- observing a child's behaviour at school - both in the class and
in the playground;
- speaking directly to a child;
- testing a child to check on skills and intellectual
development.
Indirect work involves:
- discussing the child with their parents, teachers and others
who know them well;
- reviewing work the child has done at school;
- consulting with other professionals such as social workers and
medical professionals.
Once the assessment is done, recommendations are made for
further action such as:
- counselling or family therapy sessions;
- planning learning programmes with teachers;
- training teachers in techniques to deal with behavioural
problems.
Educational psychologists also play a vital role in a local
council's development of education policy and are involved in
policy review, development and roll out. They are also often
engaged with multi-agency working groups to develop policy and
carry out strategic research and planning activities on both a
local and national level.
Skills & Interests
Educational psychologists need:
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to
build relationships with children, parents and teachers;
- a commitment to helping young people overcome learning and
behavioural difficulties;
- good problem-solving skills;
- sensitivity, tact and patience;
- good report writing and organisational skills;
- an ability to adapt to changing and challenging work
situations;
- excellent research and development skills;
- excellent knowledge of current research, theory and evidence
based practice in Psychology.
Entry Requirements
It is essential to have a degree in psychology that gives you the
graduate basis for registration of the British Psychological
Society (BPS), relevant experience of working with children within
educational, childcare or community settings and three years
doctoral training in educational psychology, which combines study
at a university and practical experience within a local
council.
The following institutions in England and Wales run the
doctorate in educational psychology:
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a clear promotion path from assistant level through to
principal educational psychologist. In addition, there might
be management opportunities within other areas of the local
council's education and children's services department.
Further Information & Services
British Psychological Society www.bps.org.uk
Department of Education www.education.gov.uk
eTeach www.eteach.com
New Scientist www.newscientist.com
Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com
The Psychologist www.thepsychologist.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.