Buckinghamshire’s Educational Psychology Service (EPS) includes qualified educational psychologists (EPs) who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, trainee EPs who are on supervised placement with the service, graduate Psychology Assistants, a Management and Leadership Team with Principal, Deputy Principal and Senior EPs and business support. Educational Psychologists are professionally trained to doctoral level and have expertise in the application of psychology in educational and community contexts, knowledge of child development with particular knowledge, skills and understanding about Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and research skills.
The service provides open access to consultation in respect of all resident children and young people aged 0 – 19, for their parents/carers, educators or other professionals/agencies involved where learning and/or development is giving significant cause for concern despite early intervention. Parental consent is essential for EP involvement and information about the service is available. Agreement for involvement with children and young people is based on EPs’ professional judgment and consideration of agreed priorities. Priorities are related to Buckinghamshire's Children' and Young People’s Plan and Children’s Service Portfolio Plan objectives and targets.
All maintained schools and specialist provision in Buckinghamshire have a named link EP. Educational Psychologists provide consultation, assessment and intervention advice as well as targeted therapeutic intervention and specialist services. The EPS responds immediately to requests for support following critical incidents affecting children or schools.
EPs have a statutory role in relation to SEND. They provide professional advice to the local authority under the Education Act 1996 in relation to assessment of SEN, Annual Reviews and Tribunal appeals and contribute to decision-making panels. They also take the role of SEN Expert in Independent Review Panels for excluded pupils. EPs contribute to and advise the authority on research and evidence base interventions and strategies.
