Educational psychologists help children and young people facing challenges in educational settings by assessing needs, consulting with others, and providing interventions. They focus on academic, emotional, social, and physical needs. A typical week involves observing and assessing students, consulting with teachers and parents, running interventions and training, and collaborating with other professionals. Educational psychologists undergo doctoral training and work in schools, authorities, and independently. While the work faces challenges like limited resources, it is also varied, allows influence over policy, and provides opportunities to help students.

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The Work of the Educational Psychologist
Lucy Harding
Educational
Psychologist
Brighton & Hove City Council

2. 2
• What is an Educational Psychologist?
• What do we do?
• Areas we cover
• How do we do it?
• A Typical Week
• Training Route
• Pay and Conditions
• Benefits and Challenges

3. What is an Educational
Psychologist?
Educational psychology is concerned with
children and young people in educational and
early years settings.
Educational psychologists tackle challenges
such as learning difficulties, social and
emotional problems, issues around disability
as well as more complex developmental
disorders.
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4. Common areas of focus
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Academic / Cognitive needs – specific
learning difficulties (literacy; numeracy;
language; memory), learning
difficulties/disabilities, access to
appropriate educational provision.
Emotional needs – attachment, anxiety,
motivation, school refusal.
Social needs – social communication
disorders, social interaction, bullying
Physical/Medical needs – physical
disability, epilepsy, autism, deaf, blind
These are not mutually exclusive.

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What EPs do
Assessment children & young
people (3-25 years)
Consultation
Interventions
Training
Staff support and wellbeing
Educational policy and
strategy
SEN systems
Multiagency working
Research
Critical incident support

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Assessment
Observation
(Social interaction; Attention; engagement in
learning; level of and response to support)
Pupil Views
Standardised assessmnets
Surveys / Questionnaires
Staff and parental perspective

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Consultation
Consultation with:
*Parent
*Teacher or other member of staff
*Child or Young Person
Other professionals

8. 8
Interventions With Children & Young
People
Anger Management
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
groups
Solution focused therapy
Family work (e.g. school refusal)
Video interaction guidance

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Training
Behaviour management
Emotional literacy
Conditions: Autism, ADHD,
dyslexia, dyspraxia,
Loss and bereavement
Anxiety and Stress
School refusal

10. Where do EPs work?
Local education authorities employ the
majority of educational psychologists. They
work in schools, colleges, nurseries and
special units, primarily with teachers and
parents. They regularly liaise with other
professionals in education, health and social
services. A growing number work as
independent or private consultants.
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Training Routes
• Undergraduate Degree in
Psychology
• 3 year Doctorate
Highly competitive!
http://careers.bps.org.uk/area/educational

12. A Typical Week.....
It’s never the same!
AM PM
Monday Observing a child at Infant School
with autism and meeting the
teacher and parent.
Writing report and liaising with other
professionals.
Tuesday Planning training session. Running training for school support
staff on emotional literacy.
Wednesday Running a focus group with pupils
at risk of exclusion for a piece
action research.
1:1 session with Yr 5 teacher on
supporting children with attachment
difficulties
Thursday Meeting with a social worker and
foster carer of a Child in Care
Admin
Friday Attending a Team around the
Child meeting for a child with
complex epilepsy.
Home visit for a family with a child
with ASC, whom I have been working
with for the past two years.

13. The Important bit!
The pay for an EP is in accordance with the Soulbury pay
Scale (approx):
• 1 £33,934
• 2 £35,656
• 3 £37,378
• 4 £39,100
• 5 £40,822
• 6 £42,544
• 7 £44,165
• 8 £45,786
• 9 ** £47,305
• 10 ** £48,825
• 11 ** £50,243

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Too many schools
Multiple agendas
Perspective/ paradigm conflicts
To label or not?
Equal opportunities
Resource issues
Some challenges

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Varied and flexible
Naturalistic settings
High levels of autonomy
Use a range of perspectives
Well regarded
Power to influence
Potentially very creativeWhat’s Good
About The Job