EPS: Information for young people and parents

Who are we?

Educational Psychologists (EPs) have training and postgraduate qualifications relating to education and child development. EPs have a diverse range of experience working with children and young people across a number of settings. The Coventry Educational Psychology Service promotes the learning, achievement and emotional wellbeing of all children and young people in the city as well as empowering parents and carers, and professionals in supporting children's special educational needs. EPs are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council.

What do we do?

We work with children, parents and carers, school staff and others to promote the development and learning of children aged up to 25 years. We work directly with some children, individually or in groups, who have difficulties in such areas as:

• general development and learning (e.g. reading and spelling)
• communication and language
• personal and emotional development
• behaviour
• relationships
• physical skills
• hearing or vision
• other medical problems which affect learning

How do we do it?

It may be that the school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) will suggest that the Educational Psychology Service is contacted to help support your child's needs. School staff will always seek your agreement before contacting us. If a more direct involvement is needed the EP will try to gain a better understanding of your child's strengths and difficulties through a consultation model of working, which may include:

• meeting you and staff
• observing in the classroom or playground
• talking to your child
• looking at school work
• using activities or tests
• developing and reviewing a support plan alongside a written consultation record for all involved.

If you wish to be present at any point during the consultation process then the EP will happily discuss this with you. Sometimes it can be reassuring to an anxious or very young child. In other circumstances it may be off-putting. You are most likely to know how your child will respond.

Who do we work with?

Children and Young People from Birth to 25 years

EPs work in a number of settings including early years provision, primary and secondary mainstream schools, specialist educational provision and within the home.

Parents and Carers

EPs offer parents and carers suggestions about how they can help your child's development and learning. We then explore how your child responds to strategies that have been tried.

Early Years and School Staff

EPs offer support to staff to help children who may be experiencing difficulties in school or early years settings.

Other Professionals

EPs may also work with other professionals from within the children's and youth services as well as from health and voluntary organisations.

Download the leaflet - Educational Psychology Service - a guide for parents