What do Stockton Educational Psychologists (EPs) do?

The Consultation Process

Stockton Educational Psychology Service (EPS) uses a process called Consultation as a framework for much of its work. This involves EPs working together in a solution-orientated way. In practice this process is about helping others to understand children's difficulties more thoroughly so that they can provide more effective teaching, support and care. A variety of issues might be raised for consultation, including:

• Pre-school children who may have physical, medical or sensory difficulties, or problems with their general development
• Children who have behavioural, social and emotional difficulties
• Children who have disabilities or difficulties which affect their learning
• Children who are gifted and talented
• Children who have communication problems

Currently each of Stockton's EPs provides a service to a group of early years settings and schools by making regular visits to each setting; the frequency of visits will vary from one setting to another, depending on the level of need. The initial point of contact with the setting is usually the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).

What else?

Stockton's EPs engage in a variety of activities including:

• Offering training and guidance to school staff, governors, parents, carers, and other professionals about a range of issues related to child development and Special Educational Needs
• Contributing to statutory assessment
• Contributing to reviews/multi-agency meetings
• Working with parents/carers on toileting, sleeping or feeding difficulties
• Contributing to a variety of panels, working groups or task groups
• Responding to critical incidents in schools and settings, such as serious accidents or bereavement
• Engaging in project work and action research to promote increased teacher knowledge of good practice in the areas of inclusion and raising achievement.