How can the Educational Psychology Service be accessed?

Educational Psychologists can be accessed through:

• Informal advice can be given through Sure Start Drop In Sessions for under 5s
• Health professionals including GPs, Paediatricians, CAMHS and Speech Therapists
• Pre-school specialists, Family Support Workers and Portage Home Workers can also refer children to the service
• Pre-school Special Educational Needs Coordinator' s (SENCOs) with the Early Years Intervention Team promote a smooth transition into school
• School age children are referred by school SENCOs. Each school has an educational psychologist linked to the school. Schools prioritise children based on level of need and refer those with the highest level of need.
• CAF-Common Assessment Framework. This process draws together professionals from a number of different areas-combine to support multi-agency assessment and intervention

The staff at your child’s nursery or school, or you GP are the best people to discuss whether your child may have special educational needs.

They will explain the procedures and what action, if necessary, is needed to be taken to help your child. They will help to explain what happens at the various stages of the SEN procedure.

Following a consultation meeting regarding the child’s needs, a referral consent form is sent to the parents/guardian. When this has been returned, the Educational Psychologist can then meet with the child, parents/guardian and school to assess the situation and to discuss possible strategies and interventions.

What if I do not want the help of an Educational Psychologist?

If someone has referred your child they should have had your agreement beforehand. You should have received the consultation request form. If you do not want the involvement of the Educational Psychology Service, simply return this to us and state clearly that this is the case. If you did agree but later change your mind then the involvement of the service will stop at your request.