What does an Educational Psychologist do?

Educational Psychologists (EPs) are trained to work with children and young people. They work to help overcome barriers to learning and to identify and give advice on a young person’s educational needs.

How do parents/carers get an EP?

Every local council has an Educational Psychology Service. In Scotland, parents and carers are entitled to request a psychological assessment for their child, which usually means the involvement of a local authority Educational Psychologist.

Contact with your local authority Educational Psychology Service can be made through your child’s school or educational establishment and/or by contacting the Educational Psychology Service directly.

What is an Independent EP?

Some EPs in Scotland work independently of a local council. UsePsychology has an independent EP working to deliver a range of services to young people, parents/carers, schools and others. All EP working practice is governed by the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). All independent and local authority EPs must be registered by the HCPC in order to be allowed to practise. You can check if an EP is registered by looking at the HCPC website.

What will the UsePsychology EP provide?

Our UsePsychology EP provides consultation and advice on educational needs including social, emotional and learning needs. She carries out assessments to gain a more detailed picture of a young person’s needs. This assessment will be captured through a formal report. The EP also provides advice on interventions and where appropriate will work directly with a young person to provide this. The UsePsychology EP delivers training on a range of topics and carries out research.

UsePsychology provides a service in which assessment is contextualised and collaborative. In practice, this means that information about a young person is gathered by listening and asking questions, observing the young person, meeting with and working with the young person to get a richer picture of their strengths and areas for development. The work always begins with a consultation with parents/carers. The service covers a range of needs; social, emotional and learning.

Free Initial Consultation

If you think you may need the service of the UsePsychology EP, contact us for a free initial consultation. This consultation can be carried out through a video call, telephone or in person.