Working with parents and pre-school children

To help understand a pupil's educational needs better, educational psychologists may wish to meet with parents at some point and talk about:

  • what concerns parents may have about their child
  • how parents have seen their child develop
  • the child's behaviour at home
  • how the child gets on with other people and the rest of the family
  • the child's interests
  • what are seen as the child's strengths
  • ways that parents have tried to help their child
  • any medical investigations that have taken place
  • ways in which parents think their child might best be helped in the future, both at home and in partnership with the school

In all but exceptional circumstances, assessments and meetings with an educational psychologist would be expected to take place on school premises and as far as possible in school hours.

Working with pre-school children

Pre-school children are referred to an educational psychologist (EP) through the pre-school review. This is a multi-agency group, chaired by the pre-school advisor, which discusses pre-school children with significant levels of need.

This group meets on a monthly basis and is always attended by a pre-school EP. There are occasions when the Educational Psychology Service is asked by the pre-school review panel to provide additional information about a child to help their understanding of the child’s needs.

The service normally only works directly with pre-school children whose needs are felt to be quite considerable and who may not have made sufficient progress as a result of the interventions made for them so far.

It also contributes to the statutory assessment procedure for pre-school children being considered for a education, health and care plan.

As well as working with other professionals on general pre-school policies, the service provides training for pre-school staff to support the development of pre-school children.