Educational Psychology Service
What is the Educational Psychology Service?
The Educational Psychology Service is part of the Pupil Support sector within Education, Leisure and Housing Services.
Aims of the Educational Psychology Service
The central aim is to promote the development and well-being of children and young people from birth to 24 years, particularly to help them overcome any barriers to learning and self-efficacy. The service aims to achieve this through working collaboratively with teachers, parents, young people and others.
What do Educational Psychologists do?
Educational psychologists work within the education system and the community to help support children, young people, their families and any professionals involved. Educational Psychologists can help in the following ways:
Consultation
Much of the work is done through problem-solving discussion where relevant information is gathered and ideas are shared to create strategies and solutions. The nature of this work can range from individual cases to organisational or policy issues.
Consultation is a collaborative process which can be used to help plan a positive way forward using clearly negotiated goals and outcomes.
Assessment and Intervention
Assessment is an interactive and collaborative process from which flow carefully negotiated interventions. These can be delivered by a range of personnel and supported by an educational psychologist.
Interventions can be focused on changes to the environment, reducing barriers to teaching and learning, and identifying appropriate strategies to support young people.
Training and Development
The focus of training and development is to support staff, parents or carers and others to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding. This can be through individually tailored training packages, or national training programmes. Training is often designed and delivered in collaboration with other services.
Projects and Action Research
The aims of research and project work are to identify and develop best practice, eg:
- The impact of solution oriented approaches within a primary school setting
- Developing ‘quality standards’ to establish autism-friendly community services
Access to the Educational Psychology Service
Initially, people can contact the service to discuss their concerns. In addition, every school has a named educational psychologist who visits the school on a regular basis, and contact can be made with the psychologist through school staff.
Related Items
The following related items can be viewed or downloaded in Portable Document Format by selecting the link from within the Related Downloads section:
- Psychological Service Operational Protocols and Guidelines
- Psychological Service Request for Involvement
Information Leaflets
The Educational Psychology Service information leaflet for service users and Post School Psychology Services leaflet are available for download from the links within the Related Downloads section.
Contact Details
Catherine Lyner, Principal Educational Psychologist
Valerie Webster, Senior Educational Psychologist
Imogen Kerr, Senior Educational Psychologist
The Educational Psychology Service
Pupil Support
Education, Leisure and Housing Services
Orkney Islands Council
School Place
Kirkwall
KW15 1NY
Tel: 01856 873535