What it is
Our Educational Psychology Service helps to improve wellbeing, learning, and the development for children, young people and families in Renfrewshire.
Our educational psychologists work closely with parents, teachers and other professionals to help children. access the curriculum and flourish during their time in education.
We use evidence-based psychology theory and a knowledge of child development to:
- provide advice and guidance to schools and nurseries
- work collaboratively with others in education settings to support children and young people, particularly those who have additional support needs (ASN)
- provide training and development for education staff.
The service aims to support the implementation of the "Getting it Right for Every Child" (GIRFEC) within Renfrewshire.
What the service does
Our educational psychologists work with staff to make sure that education is a nurturing experience and to reduce any barriers to learning that may exist for children and young people.
Some of the ways that EPs can help to reduce barriers is by:
- looking at how children learn
- finding out more about a child’s strengths and what engages them in learning
- talking with you, your child and their teachers
- making suggestions on things that may need to be adapted to support learning in the classroom or playroom.
The educational psychologist will ensure that your child’s views and your views are part of the information that helps any assessment of need.
Who can use the service
The service supports children and young people who experience a wide range of additional support needs (ASN). For example, children and young people who may:
- find communicating and interacting with others a challenge
- need support to learn
- need support with their wellbeing
- have a physical or sensory need that acts as a barrier to learning
- have been care experienced.
How we become involved
Your child’s nursery or school will already have a system in place for monitoring or reviewing their progress.
The nursery or school will gather assessment information and support your child through their staged intervention process before asking for educational psychologist involvement.
An educational psychologist may become involved when support is needed to work out what is getting in the way of your child’s learning or development, and what could help them.
You’ll need to give consent to the nursery or school before they can ask for educational psychologist to get involved in your child’s learning and development.
The nursery or school will then discuss the request for support with an educational psychologist. The educational psychologist may agree that it would be helpful for them to become involved.
How to use the service
Requests for the service are made by schools, nurseries, or other educational establishments after you have given consent.
You can contact our Educational Psychology Service by:
- email reps@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone 0300 300 0170 – Option 4 (Educational Psychology Service)
More information
You can find out more about the work of our Educational Psychology Service, reports and publications, and further resources (Glow Scotland).