Coronavirus
We realise that it can be very challenging to talk to children and young people about difficult events in the news. Due to the current situation with coronavirus, the educational psychology team have compiled a guide about how to talk to children about coronavirus (PDF 190 KB) containing a list of suitable free websites as well as other resources that might be useful for supporting children and young people, their families and school staff at this time.
We have also compiled a separate list of resources in relation to bereavement and loss (PDF 272 KB) as well as some practical ideas focused on supporting children and young people's return to school. Further resources for school staff are available on the Schools' Portal.
Educational psychologists
Our team of educational psychologists work mainly with children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Educational psychologists use psychology to help children and young people with the development of learning, communication, physical and sensory needs, and social and emotional skills needed for adulthood/independence.
Most children and young people with SEND will have their needs met through their nursery, school or college. This could be from trained staff, or the staff might get advice from specialist teachers.
However, sometimes an educational psychologist may be asked to help.
What we do
Ways in which we work include:
- Consultation — we meet with key adults involved in children and young people's education and care to discuss their needs and how best to help them.
- Direct work - this may include observation, talking to the child or young person to gather their views and/or one-to-one activities.
- Statutory role – we have a statutory role for the council in providing psychological advice as part of education, health and care needs assessments and associated statutory processes.
- Supporting staff development – this may include delivering training and providing advice around the delivery of interventions.
- Supporting parents/carers – during term times, we offer a weekly telephone helpline to parents/carers.
- Research and evaluation — we are sometimes involved in planning, carrying out and evaluating research.
Our team
Our team of educational psychologists are practitioner psychologists and are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Within our team, we also have trainee and assistant educational psychologists who are supervised by experienced educational psychologists. They complete a range of duties, with appropriate supervision and support. Trainee educational psychologists are undertaking training to become educational psychologists and work here on placement. We also employ assistant educational psychologists. They have a psychology qualification and relevant experience of working with children and young people.
We also have a number of associate educational psychologists who are practitioner psychologists and who are registered with the HCPC. They support our team with our service delivery to schools.
Accessing the service
If you think advice from an educational psychologist might be of benefit, talk to the:
- key worker (in nursery)
- class teacher (in primary school)
- form tutor or head of year (in secondary school)
They will discuss your concerns with you and may also talk to the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). You can also ask to speak to the SENCO
If you are a young person and you think you need extra help, you should speak to a teacher or the SENCO.
The SENCO may request educational psychology involvement.
Contacts
Parent/carer helpline
If you are a parent or carer and would like to speak to an educational psychologist, you can call the helpline:
- Tel: 01772 530 444 Thursday 12.30pm-4.30pm (during term time)
Schools and early years
Please see the information for professionals.
Area offices
If you would like more information about the educational psychology service, please contact your area office.
Lancaster, Morecambe, Fylde and Wyre
Tel: 01524 581 200
Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire
Tel: 01772 531 597
Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale
Tel: 01282 470 604