Educational Psychology Service: Information for children and young people
About Assistant Educational Psychologists
- An Assistant Educational Psychologist works with children and young people who have a special educational need and/or disability (SEND) and are in education
- We might work with you 1:1 or in group settings, or support you through working closely with your family, teachers, and other professionals
- Our aim is to help you with your experiences in education, by using psychology to understand your views and support you in achieving your goals
You might meet an Assistant Educational Psychologist if:
- you have difficulties with social situations, for example, friends, family, teachers
- you have difficulties with feeling anxious or your self-esteem
- you have difficulties understanding and managing your feelings
- you have difficulties coming to school
If any of these are affecting your education, an Assistant Educational Psychologist can help.
The SENCo at your school will ask an Assistant Educational Psychologist to see you. Speak to a teacher or the SENCo at your school if you think an Assistant Educational Psychologist might be able to help you. Your parent or carer may also ask your school to arrange for an Assistant Educational Psychologist to see you.
To contact us email: EPSenquiries@swindon.gov.uk
An Assistant Educational Psychologist will usually visit you at your educational setting, or wherever is best for you. They will explain to you what is going to happen and check that you are happy for them to work with you.
They will also want to get to know you, hear about what is important to you and you find interesting or fun, and ask about the things you find difficult. Sometimes this might include some tasks, such as drawing, building, writing, or playing a game.
Sometimes the Assistant Educational Psychologist may meet with the people who support you, for example, your teachers, parents or carers to discuss how to support you. Usually an Educational Psychologist will attend these meetings as well, and you can be a part of this meeting if you wish. You may also want to ask for a specific person to be there to support you.
Assistant Educational Psychologists and Educational Psychologists both work in a person-centred way. This means they make sure everyone’s views are included, especially yours.
The Assistant Educational Psychologist will often write a record so that you have a record of the skills we have learned together, and a reminder of any things that have been particularly helpful. This is also helpful for everyone who supports you, so they know what they need to do to help you.
The Assistant Educational Psychologist may come and see you again a little while later to see how you are getting on, or they might introduce you to an Educational Psychologist who will work on slightly different things with you.
The Assistant Educational Psychologist will want to make sure your views, thoughts and feelings are included in any decisions.
If you would rather tell someone else your views, thoughts and feelings, then just tell the Assistant Educational Psychologist, or another adult you trust.
The UNCRC and SEND code of practice gives more information on your rights and having your views heard.
Consent
If you are under 18 years of age, your parent/s or carer/s will be asked to give consent for the Assistant Educational Psychologist to see you. If you are 18 or over, you will be asked to give consent
Whatever your age, the Educational Psychologist will always check that you are happy for them to work with you.
Confidentiality
It may be helpful for the Assistant Educational Psychologist to share what you tell them with the people who support you. This can help them understand you better.
You can ask the Assistant Educational Psychologist not to share what you have said. This is called ‘confidentiality'.
However, if you tell them something that means you or someone else has been harmed, or might be harmed, they will have to tell the safeguarding lead.
If you have any questions or want to know more about Assistant Educational Psychologists, or the educational psychology service, please speak to an adult such as the SENDCo in your school, your teacher or a parent or carer.
You can also contact us at EPSenquiries@swindon.gov.uk.
