Educational Psychologists work in a variety of different ways to address the problems experienced by children and young people. They work directly with children and young people individually or in groups and with a wide range of other professionals to deliver their work.

Part of the Educational Psychologist’s role is also to work at a strategic level, carrying out research and advising on educational policy development. Other areas of work include delivering training on issues such as meeting the social, emotional, learning and behavioural needs of children and young people.

Direct work with children and young people includes assessing their learning and emotional needs using methods such as interviews, observation and test materials. Interventions are then developed to support the child or young person with the problems they are experiencing.

To train to become an Educational Psychologist, it is necessary to successfully complete appropriate post-graduate training that is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC is the regulatory organisation for Educational Psychologists. Upon completing an HCPC-approved training programme, it is necessary to register with the HCPC in order to be able to work as, and use the protected title of Educational Psychologist.

As an Educational Psychologist working in Kent, I have been involved in a broad range of activities promoting learning, lifelong development, emotional well-being and satisfying lives for children, young people and their families by:

  • supporting teams and organisations who work with children and young people;
  • promoting the understanding of children’s psychology;
  • promoting better outcomes for vulnerable children and young people;
  • supporting schools in challenging circumstances, including crisis support; and
  • enabling children and young people to express their own views on how their needs might be supported.
A young girl needing educational psychology treatment