Plymouth Educational Psychology Service
Educational Psychologists have expertise in psychological theory and research that helps to understand how children and young people develop, learn, think, feel, and behave.
Please have a look at our Updates and Signposting to Resources page for the latest information and advice for children, young people, parents, and carers if they are upset by events on the news and descriptions of war and conflict.
What we do
Educational Psychologists apply psychology using the graduated approach to support the educational progress, development, mental health and wellbeing of children and young people from 0-25 years with complex special educational needs and, or a disability. The range of specialist psychological skills and knowledge covers the four areas of need identified in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice. These are:
- Communication and interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Social, emotional and/or mental health
- Sensory and/or physical
We are funded by Plymouth City Council to provide a free service to educational settings for statutory assessment and review of children's needs and specific areas of core work that underpin this as part of SEN support. We are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- We support families, early years settings, schools and colleges. Our role usually involves joint working with a range of other professionals as part of a Team Around the Child or Young Person.
- Educational Psychologists provide consultation, assessment and advice on strategies to promote positive outcomes. We undertake psychological assessment for all children and young people with special educational needs who require a statutory Education Health and Care Plan.
Consultation Explained - Information for Parents and Professionals
- The service also supports a wide range of needs by providing training, consultation and project work for adults, such as carers, teachers and early years practitioners, who work with children and young people and is done within the principles of the graduated approach.
- The Educational Psychology Service provides critical incident and trauma support as part of our core offer. A critical incident is defined as a sudden and unexpected event that has the potential to overwhelm the coping mechanisms of a whole school or members of the school community.
Educational Psychology Service Critical Incident Response Pack - Plymouth City Council Educational Service (PDF) [1MB] - We conduct research and evaluation projects in order to achieve high-quality provision for children and young people.
Examples of specific approaches include:
- Consultation for individuals and groups
- Solution-focused approaches
- Professional supervision
- Person-centred planning
- Precision teaching
- Motivational interviewing
- Restorative approaches
- Understanding working memory
- Dynamic assessment
- Therapeutic approaches, for example, cognitive behavioural psychology, narrative approaches and personal construct psychology
Training offer and support for school staff and professionals
The Plymouth Educational Psychology Service works closely with local schools and colleges to offer a range of training courses and support for school staff and professionals.
- Emotional Literacy Support Assistant Training for Teaching Assistants
- Emotionally Based School Avoidance resources and training for school staff, parents, and young people
- AET Training
Video interaction guidance
This is a nationally recognised therapeutic intervention for schools and families.
We have a number of trainee Educational Psychologists on placement as part of their Doctoral professional training. They work closely with and are supervised by experienced Educational Psychologists.
How to request advice and support in addition to the core offer
We accept requests for involvement from schools who'll have discussed the reasons for this and gained consent from parents/carers or young people over the age of 16years. If a parent/carer or young person is considering whether our involvement would be beneficial, they should first approach the school or college SEN co-ordinator (SENCO) to discuss if this would be appropriate. In exceptional circumstances, they may wish to contact the Psychology Service directly.
If you have any questions about the Plymouth Educational Psychology Service, please phone 01752 224962 or email psychology.service@plymouth.gov.uk.
We're available to help and support you from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.
How to request traded services, as outlined in the brochures below
Please read our latest brochures, linked below, for information about our services and how we can help.
Plymouth City Council Educational Psychology Service Brochure (PDF) [108KB] (opens new window)
Resolving disagreements, mediation and making complaints
We welcome feedback on any concerns and will respond promptly to try to discuss and plan a way forward. If there is no resolution at an initial stage we follow Plymouth City Council policies and procedures. Please email your feedback and comments to psychology.service@plymouth.gov.uk.
Continue reading
- Plymouth Educational Psychology Service
- Educational psychology consultation explained - information for parents and professionals
- Updates and signposting to resources
- I-Thrive Model
- Wellbeing for Education Return and Recovery
- SEND Local Offer
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