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Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Educational Psychology Service

The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) delivers high-quality education support services to schools and settings across Devon.

How educational psychologists help children and young people

Educational psychologists (EPs) use specialist psychological knowledge and skills to promote the development, learning, achievement and well-being of children and young people from 0 – 25 years.

It takes at least 8 years to train as an EP. The training includes an initial psychology degree, work with children and completing a doctorate in Educational Psychology. Ongoing training and development is a professional requirement. This means that we base our independent advice on extensive up-to-date knowledge of research and good practice.

How educational psychologists’ skills are used in Devon

  • Schools and settings engage us to use psychological knowledge and skills in specific ways depending upon what is needed.
  • Each of our EPs completes a range of work to achieve different purposes.
  • Some EPs also have specialisms in areas such as literacy or social, emotional and mental health which are used across the service.
  • The EPS is organised into four locality teams across Devon, based in the north, south, east and west of the county.
  • Each team provides a service to a group of learning communities and the children, young people and families who live there.

Most EP work is consultative. This means that the EP meets with adults who know the child or young person well to agree action plans without the need to meet them, unless this is necessary. The Devon EPS has made two short videos to explain what an educational psychologist does when they work directly with children and young people. This video for young people gives information for those of school or college age. We have also produced a short, easy-access version, which is ideal for younger children. We hope that the videos help children be relaxed and enjoy their time with the educational psychologist.

The Devon EPS have also made this short video which provides information about the process of working with an educational psychologist for parents and carers.

Our EPs are trusted professionals because they have:

  • a passion for thinking about the perspective of children and young people and achieving best outcomes
  • a friendly and approachable style so that they are good at connecting with people
  • a detailed understanding of child development, emotional health and wellbeing and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • substantial experience supporting children and young people in education from 0- 25 years of age
  • excellent knowledge of the current education system including the SEND legislation and Devon-specific processes
  • commitment to providing independent advice and working ethically based on the British Psychological Society Code of Ethics, Conduct and Professional Practice Guidelines (2018)

Our EPs are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)  Health and Care Professions Council logo

How the work of the Educational Psychology Service is funded and delivered

The Educational Psychology Service is funded by Devon County Council (DCC) to support schools when there has been a critical incident and to undertake EP advice for education, health and care needs assessments.

The EPS is also funded to provide School Review Consultations to targeted schools to problem-solve key priorities and challenges linked to SEND. This will be a multiagency meeting with representatives from other SEN support and Inclusion services.

At present the EPS is only able to provide traded services to targeted schools.

“Thanks so much for coming along to the Annual Review today. Throughout this whole thing I have felt SO supported by the team and the amazing experience you all bring. I have learnt SO much! I honestly would have felt so alone with it all without you…I needed people around me who understand schools. Team work!”

School SENCO: Summer 2021

“Our EP has always been amazing.  He helps us and advises, so that we try to implement strategies before we contact him.  Can’t speak highly enough of him”.

Headteacher, St John’s Catholic PS


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