Educational Psychology

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 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 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 such as EHCNA forum, section 19 requests and placement panels. The team also provides support, advice and guidance to schools following ‘critical incidents’ such as sudden high profile bereavements or traumatic events in the community.

For the 2025-2026 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 SEND, CYPIT and MHST services to provide a multi-disciplinary consultation forum. 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 cross-county work focused on prevention and early intervention for children and support to schools. 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 support for vulnerable children, reflective supervision offer for Head Teachers and advice 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

Key Contacts

Victoria Ingram (Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist)

victoria.ingram@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Siobhan Hickey (Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist)

siobhan.hickey@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Jenny Feeney (Principal  Educational Psychologist)
jenny.feeney@buckinghamshire.gov.uk