Frequently Asked Questions

(supplied by LEA, Pembrokeshire County Council)
Pembrokeshire SEN Contacts

What is the aim of the Pembrokeshire Educational Psychology Service?

The Educational Psychology Service aims to help Pembrokeshire children reach their potential through the application of psychology. This is done by using a consultation approach working in partnership with schools, parents and other agencies. The Educational Psychology Service seeks to provide an efficient and effective service, sensitive to the needs of its clients.

What is the role of the Educational Psychologist ?

The role of the Educational Psychologist is to:

Assess the needs of individual children by :

Taking into consideration all facets of the childs cognitive, personal and social development using a range of assessment approaches.

Consulting with school staff, parents and any other relevant agencies in order to gain an insight into why a child responds, in a particular way, to situations he/she experiences.

Consideration is given to the child's environment and how it affects them.

Following assessment, theories are developed as to why the child may not be reaching his/her educational, social and/or emotional potential.

A visit summery sheet is produced for the school to confirm discussions and inform future actions, these are usually carried out by the school staff but direct intervention may be carried out by the Educational Psychologist.
Where appropriate, work with a class of pupils or a school as a whole in order to help maximise the potential of the system to meet the needs of pupils.
Provide training to school staff and other agencies.

What is an Educational Psychologist?

An Educational Psychologist is a person who has a degree in Psychology, has experience in working with children and has a Masters degree or Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Although it is not required, all the Educational Psychologists within Pembrokeshire are qualified and experienced Teachers.

How is a child referred to the Educational Psychology Service?

The Educational Psychology Service has an open referral system which means that any professional or the child's parent can refer a child to the Educational Psychology Service if the child's guardian gives permission. However, as the school has responsibility for a child's education, the Educational Psychology Service would prefer to accept referrals from, and work closely with, school staff.

How does an Educational Psychologist work within a school?

The Educational Psychology Service offers a consultation approach to schools which means that each school receives a set amount of Educational Psychologist time. The Educational Psychologist and Head teacher consult as to how the time is to be used. A consultation approach means that the Educational Psychologist and school staff work together on an equal basis to define problems and find solutions. After the Educational Psychologist has finished working with a child he/she produces a handwritten/typed visit summary sheet to confirm discussions and inform future action for the child, without the delay inherent in producing formal reports. It is then the school's responsibility to co-ordinate informing parents and other professionals and to instigate any action necessary following the Educational Psychologist's involvement.

If my child has been referred to the Educational Psychology Service what can I expect to happen?

This very much depends on the type and degree of the child's difficulty. The school would have sought permission for the referral and also sought information from the parents which is conveyed to the Educational Psychologist via the referral form. The school would inform the parents as to when the Educational Psychologist's visit is due. When the Educational Psychologist arrives he/she consult with the school staff to gain information from them. If the Educational Psychologist needs additional information from parents he/she will seek it. Usually, but not always, the Educational Psychologist will observe and/or work with the child using a variety of assessment tools. The results of the visit would be fed back to the school staff verbally and via a visit summary sheet. The school will feedback information to parents unless the Educational Psychologist decides that he/she wish to take on this role. Parents can always ask to see the Educational Psychologist if they so wish. The school will pass on a copy of the visit summary sheet to the parents.

What happens after the Educational Psychologist's visit?

After the visit the school staff will instigate any action necessary following the Educational Psychologist's involvement. Occasionally direct intervention may be carried out by the Educational Psychologist. The school staff will monitor the child's progress via Code of Practice procedures. If the Educational Psychologist's re-involvement is required this has to be requested.


Home Signs Of Dyslexia Parents Help Teacher Help Lighten up Driving Test Help Dyslexic Stories Book Shop Events Special Offers Archive Links Contact Membership Sponsors About	Frequently Asked Questions (supplied by LEA, Pembrokeshire County Council) Pembrokeshire SEN Contacts What is the aim of the Pembrokeshire Educational Psychology Service? The Educational Psychology Service aims to help Pembrokeshire children reach their potential through the application of psychology. This is done by using a consultation approach working in partnership with schools, parents and other agencies. The Educational Psychology Service seeks to provide an efficient and effective service, sensitive to the needs of its clients. What is the role of the Educational Psychologist ? The role of the Educational Psychologist is to: Assess the needs of individual children by : Taking into consideration all facets of the childs cognitive, personal and social development using a range of assessment approaches. Consulting with school staff, parents and any other relevant agencies in order to gain an insight into why a child responds, in a particular way, to situations he/she experiences. Consideration is given to the child's environment and how it affects them. Following assessment, theories are developed as to why the child may not be reaching his/her educational, social and/or emotional potential. A visit summery sheet is produced for the school to confirm discussions and inform future actions, these are usually carried out by the school staff but direct intervention may be carried out by the Educational Psychologist. Where appropriate, work with a class of pupils or a school as a whole in order to help maximise the potential of the system to meet the needs of pupils. Provide training to school staff and other agencies. What is an Educational Psychologist? An Educational Psychologist is a person who has a degree in Psychology, has experience in working with children and has a Masters degree or Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Although it is not required, all the Educational Psychologists within Pembrokeshire are qualified and experienced Teachers. How is a child referred to the Educational Psychology Service? The Educational Psychology Service has an open referral system which means that any professional or the child's parent can refer a child to the Educational Psychology Service if the child's guardian gives permission. However, as the school has responsibility for a child's education, the Educational Psychology Service would prefer to accept referrals from, and work closely with, school staff. How does an Educational Psychologist work within a school? The Educational Psychology Service offers a consultation approach to schools which means that each school receives a set amount of Educational Psychologist time. The Educational Psychologist and Head teacher consult as to how the time is to be used. A consultation approach means that the Educational Psychologist and school staff work together on an equal basis to define problems and find solutions. After the Educational Psychologist has finished working with a child he/she produces a handwritten/typed visit summary sheet to confirm discussions and inform future action for the child, without the delay inherent in producing formal reports. It is then the school's responsibility to co-ordinate informing parents and other professionals and to instigate any action necessary following the Educational Psychologist's involvement. If my child has been referred to the Educational Psychology Service what can I expect to happen? This very much depends on the type and degree of the child's difficulty. The school would have sought permission for the referral and also sought information from the parents which is conveyed to the Educational Psychologist via the referral form. The school would inform the parents as to when the Educational Psychologist's visit is due. When the Educational Psychologist arrives he/she consult with the school staff to gain information from them. If the Educational Psychologist needs additional information from parents he/she will seek it. Usually, but not always, the Educational Psychologist will observe and/or work with the child using a variety of assessment tools. The results of the visit would be fed back to the school staff verbally and via a visit summary sheet. The school will feedback information to parents unless the Educational Psychologist decides that he/she wish to take on this role. Parents can always ask to see the Educational Psychologist if they so wish. The school will pass on a copy of the visit summary sheet to the parents. What happens after the Educational Psychologist's visit? After the visit the school staff will instigate any action necessary following the Educational Psychologist's involvement. Occasionally direct intervention may be carried out by the Educational Psychologist. The school staff will monitor the child's progress via Code of Practice procedures. If the Educational Psychologist's re-involvement is required this has to be requested.