Educational psychologists tackle the problems encountered by young people in education, which may involve learning difficulties and social or emotional problems.They carry out a wide range of tasks with the aim of enhancing children’s learning and enabling teachers to become more aware of the social factors affecting teaching and learning. Reports may be written about children for allocation of special educational places, or as part of court proceedings or children’s panels.

The work of an educational psychologist can be either directly with a child (assessing progress, giving counselling) or indirectly (through their work with parents, teachers and other professionals). Direct work involves some form of assessment to uncover the problem through consultation with professional colleagues, observation, interview, or use of test materials. Interventions might plan learning programmes and collaborative work with a teacher. Recommendations are then made to determine the most appropriate educational provision for children experiencing educational difficulties. Indirect work requires consultation and careful discussion, as the psychologist’s contribution needs to be seen as relevant to people who know little about psychology.

In their role within a local authority, educational psychologists are often called upon to advise or join working/consultation groups on issues concerned with organisation and policy planning.With their research background they are in an ideal and often unique position within the education authority to plan and carry out research activities.

Where?

The majority of educational psychologists are employed by local education authorities, working in schools, colleges, nurseries and special units, primarily with teachers and parents. They regularly liaise with other professionals from the departments of education, health and social services.A growing number work as independent or private consultants.

How?

Qualifications and training

Individuals wishing to pursue training in educational psychology (and thus needing a Societyaccredited qualification conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Registration, see p.3) are encouraged to undertake a joint/combined Honours degree in which psychology and National Curriculum subjects (for example maths, English) may be taken conjointly to fill both requirements. A degree in a National Curriculum subject is normally required to enter a teacher training course. Students must ensure that whatever subjects are studied, the required courses in psychology are completed for award of the GBR. Consult the course organisers for details of each course’s requirements.

Mature students are welcome; there is no upper age limit for applicants.The Society often receives enquiries from qualified and experienced teachers who are not psychology graduates but who wish to train as educational psychologists. Such people will be required to undertake an accredited qualification conferring eligibility for the GBR.

Teachers will not be required to undertake further teaching experience after the GBR has been achieved.

However, in order to progress towards Registration as a Chartered Educational Psychologist, accredited postgraduate training will need to be undertaken followed by 1 year supervised practice in a public service setting.

Applications for entrance onto postgraduate training courses in educational psychology in England,Wales and Northern Ireland should be made to the Clearing House for Educational Psychology (see address above). The Clearing House is also able to advise on the availability of funding.

Competition for places on the professional training courses is high, around three applicants for every place, and relevant experience is becoming increasingly important. As a result, some local education authorities have created Assistant Educational Psychologist posts to provide an opportunity for trainees to acquire and develop relevant knowledge and skills.

The initial training route for educational psychologists is currently under review by a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) facilitated working group.The Society has approved of changes supporting a training route that will no longer require teacher training and teaching experience, and would consist of GBR plus three years’ postgraduate training based and in part on placements relevant to the work of an Educational Psychologist. The DfES commissioned a short-term project in collaboration with the Society to consult with relevant stakeholders and to develop an implementation plan for changes to postgraduate training and funding mechanisms.Transitional arrangements to maintain a supply of qualified educational psychologists are also being considered.

The implementation date will depend on the outcome of a DfES spending bid to fund the new training model.The likely and hoped for date is September 2005.

Current psychology undergraduates interested in a career as an educational psychologist should consider gaining relevant experience of work with children and young people.

To register as a Chartered Educational Psychologist in Scotland, there is no requirement to become a fully qualified teacher. However, those who consider training in Scotland should remember that LEAs ‘south of the border’ usually will only employ educational psychologists who have teaching experience. Details of accredited two year MScs in Educational Psychology which can be taken in Scotland are available on request from the Society.

Pay, prospects and conditions

In England and Wales, pay and conditions are negotiated with the Employers Organisation (Soulbury Committee) by the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP), the educational psychologists' trade union. In Northern Ireland they are employed by the province's five Education and Library Boards.

Structured professional assessments (SPA) have been introduced to recognise the contributions of Soulbury paid officers.These are operated locally and are discretionary.The current pay scales are approximately as follows:

Assistant Educational Psychologists £21,500 – £24,000

Scale A £26,000 – £35,000 (up to £37,500 SPA)
Scale B Senior or Principal £34,000 – £46,500 (up to £48,500 SPA)

London Allowance Inner £2300
Outer £1500
Fringe £600

Further information

www.bps.org.uk/ed

www.bps.org.uk/scoted

The Association of Educational
Psychologists 26 The Avenue,
Durham DH1 4ED
Tel: 0191 384 9512
Website: www.aep.org.uk

Clearing House for Postgraduate
Courses in Educational Psychology,
Layden House, 76–86 Turnmill Street,
London EC1M 5LG
Tel: 020 7296 6600
The Educational Institute of Scotland,
46 Moray Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BH
Tel: 0131 225 6244