Educational Psychology
Last updated:Educational Psychologists (EPs) undertake a range of work aimed at promoting inclusion, psychological well-being and raising standards for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years, across the full range of abilities. The Buckinghamshire Council Educational Psychology Service, which is part of the Integrated Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (ISEND) Service, includes qualified Educational Psychologists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, Trainee Educational Psychologists on supervised placements, and graduate Assistant Educational Psychologists.
The Local Authority has a statutory role in relation to special educational needs and disabilities. The EP Service provides professional advice to the Local Authority under the Children and Families Act 2014 as part of the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment process, as well as in relation to Annual Reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals on a case-by-case basis. EPs contribute to Local Authority decision-making forums and Independent Review Panels for excluded pupils. The team also provides support, advice and guidance to schools following ‘critical incidents’ such as sudden bereavements or traumatic events in the community.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the free offer to schools from the EP Service will once again extend beyond the statutory duties noted above. All Buckinghamshire schools (including specialist settings) have an allocated ‘Link EP’, who will be responsible for undertaking half-termly consultation sessions with the school SENCO (or other nominated member of staff). Each term, one of these consultation sessions will take the form of a ‘TEAM UP’ meeting, where the EPs join with colleagues from the ISEND Service to provide a multi-disciplinary consultation forum. The reflective supervision offer for Head Teachers of primary and special schools will also be continuing.
The EP Service is also exploring how the Link EP model can be used to provide direct responsive support to schools and settings. Whilst EPs’ statutory obligations inevitably mean that capacity will be limited, it is intended that Link EPs will have a small amount of time each term that can be targeted at a need identified in discussion with each school – for example, a training session for teaching staff on a topic of specific relevance.
In addition, the EP Service will be delivering a range of work focused on prevention and early intervention. This includes continuing to supervise staff who work with CYP experiencing significant social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties (including ELSAs and nurture practitioners), developing and delivering new countywide training regarding SEMH, and specialist casework relating to those children and young people experiencing emotionally-based school non-attendance (EBSNA).
Key Contacts
Buckinghamshire Educational Psychology Service
EPS@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
01296 383219
Tim Jones (Principal Educational Psychologist)
tim.jones@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Jenny Feeney (Senior Educational Psychologist)
jenny.feeney@buckinghamshire.gov.uk