Educational Psychology Service

Who are we?

Educational psychologists have a postgraduate qualification in educational psychology, either a Master’s or a Doctorate. Educational psychologists follow professional standards, as determined by the British Psychological Society and the Health and Care Professionals Council.

We use our knowledge of psychology, child development, learning and educational systems to remove barriers to learning and wellbeing for children and young people.

We provide support through consultation, assessment/intervention, training and research.

Find out more information on the role of educational psychologists.

How do we become involved?

If either yourself or school staff have concerns the first level of response should be for the school staff to formally note these concerns and have measures put in place to respond to them. If this has happened and options within school have not sufficiently addressed the concerns, then a Request for Assistance (RfA) can be made to our service. Parents and carers will be asked to consent to this process. In most situations, where a young person is aged 12 years or over, their consent will be required for a Request for Assistance to be progressed.

RfAs are processed centrally, on a regular basis, by a panel. When an RfA is accepted parents /carers and, where appropriate, young people will be informed of this by letter. The case will be allocated to an educational psychologist who will contact the relevant member of staff and agree a timescale for a response.

RfA require to be submitted through the Educational Psychology Service (EPS) mailbox, educationalpsychologyservice@eastlothian.gov.uk, with the RfA form fully completed and the relevant documentation attached.

If a RfA is not accepted the person who made the request, the parent /carer and, where appropriate, the young person will be informed of why this decision was made by letter.

What to expect

Following an acceptance a consultation will usually be offered to explore concerns and agree on immediate strategies to help improve things for your child or young person. If it is agreed that further work is required (such as observation in class, assessment of learning, longer term consultation or attendance at a meeting e.g. a child planning meeting), this will be agreed as an outcome of the consultation process.

What can we do for you?

• identify learning and wellbeing needs, and how to support them
• offer advice to you and the school/nursery
• help make sense of existing information and translate it into actions
• observe your child in their learning environment
• meet/work with your child
• suggest a referral to another service
• with you and your young person’s consent, talk to other professionals
• produce written records of our involvement as appropriate (e.g. consultation or assessment reports)

Our commitment to you

We will always seek your views and those of your child.

You will always be kept informed and provided with a copy of any reports relating to your child or young person.

You can contact us at any time to discuss how things are progressing.