How EP's in Darlington Work
Educational Psychologists provide advice to the local authority; training for teachers and others; work with other agencies; early years work and direct work with children and young people and parents. They offer support to children and young people who experience a range of difficulties which impact on their educational functioning and emotional well-being. They provide advice to the LEA, schools and parents on the Special Educational Needs of children
- The Educational Psychologist might observe a child in the classroom, playground or at home.
- They might work individually with a child and obtain their views
- They will work with a child's teacher
- They may observe and work with groups of children.
- They may work with teachers on aspects of school organisation.
- Exactly what happens depends on the needs of the person raising the concern and the needs of the child. Parents are expected to play a full part in any work carried out by the psychologist, at all stages.
How Work is Allocated
Although Educational Psychologists work with parents and other agencies, their work is primarily carried out in and through schools.
All schools receive an allocated amount of time from the EPS and use that time to prioritise children they are concerned about. The SENCo for the school is the person who co-ordinates the work with the psychologist. If a parent has a concern about their child in school, they should first discuss that concern with the class teacher, who may wish to refer on to the SENCo. If it is felt appropriate to have involvement from a psychologist, then the SENCo will raise for discussion with the Educational Psychologist at one of the regular visits to school.
An Educational Psychologist also works in the Child Development Centre as part of a multi-agency team with babies and pre-school children.
Contact Address:
The Town Hall
Feethams
Darlington, DL1 5QT
Tel 01325 388840