About Educational Psychologists

What is an Educational Psychologist?

An Educational Psychologist helps children who may be experiencing problems at school with the aim of enhancing their learning. Challenges may include learning, literacy or numeracy difficulties, social or emotional problems or perhaps concerns around extension for able pupils. Educational Psychologists carry out a range of bespoke assessments to identify if there are any barriers to learning and then offer a range of appropriate interventions, aimed at both schools and parents, which are designed to optimise learning and development. These findings can be invaluable when thinking about the suitability of a school or considering school transfer and may also be helpful when applying for access arrangements at examinations.

Educational Psychologists also work with adults in further and higher education and in the workplace. They may become involved in devising programmes to improve adult literacy skills and access to study and work. They may also advise on alternative examination arrangements for learners with disabilities, including dyslexia.

What will the assessment involve?

The assessment will usually involve an initial phone consultation to establish the key issues and a brief questionnaire will be sent out to provide a fuller picture of strengths and weaknesses, as well as the purpose of the assessment. This will then be followed by a detailed diagnostic assessment, which may take approximately 2-2.5 hours, after which there will be immediate verbal feedback. Following this a full written report will be provided with practical and helpful recommendations as to the best ways forward.

Psychometric tests, including intelligence tests (IQ) may be used as a vehicle to identify what a child or adult is capable of and the findings could then help a person to achieve to their full potential. An IQ test measures a child or person’s abilities in comparison with thousands of others of the same age and can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what a person is particularly good at can help ensure they are sufficiently stimulated and may be valuable when considering the best fitting school. Adults can also be helped to achieve their full potential at work and with their career progression. Weaknesses can be identified and addressed.