Last updated:
6th September 2024
Educational Psychology Service
About the Educational Psychology Service (EPS)
The EPS is part of Wokingham Children’s Services.
They promote children’s learning, development and psychological wellbeing and work with:
- schools and other educational settings
- parents and carers
- children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
- professionals
This service is free for parents and carers.
Academies and free schools will be charged for some work.
Services available and how they work
The EPS has a statutory role to provide information and advice for education, health and care needs assessments and education, health and care plans (EHCP).
To find out more about the role of an educational psychologist, download and read explaining the role of an educational psychologist (PDF document).
Non-statutory work
This includes educational psychologist surgeries. This is an early intervention and solution focused opportunity open to any SENCO.
The surgery discussion will look at needs, strengths, and what has been tried already.
At the end of the discussion, the EPS team and SENCOs will agree on actions and share these with parents and carers.
Early years providers can request support for a specific child in their setting from the Early Years Team. This is discussed at a weekly triage meeting and possible outcomes include:
- a meeting with an Educational Psychologist
- an observation in the setting and parent and staff consultation with an Educational Psychologist
- a meeting with the area SENCO
- an observation in the setting and parent and staff consultation with the area SENCO
- training by a member of the Early Years team
Health professionals can also refer pre-school children who are causing concern to the Wokingham Early Years Support Panel.
Who the service is for
The service is for children and young people aged up to 19 years or up to 25 years if they have an EHCP.
How to access the service
You need a referral to access this service.
For school aged children
The school SENCO or Inclusion manager can make a referral, through a discussion with the Educational Psychologist who is linked with their school.
For pre-school children
A health professional such as a paediatrician, health visitor or speech and language therapist can make a referral to the Early Years Support Panel.
Professionals in an educational setting, such as an Early Years Inclusion Advisor, can also make a referral.
All referrals must have consent from parents or carers.
Accreditation
All Wokingham Educational Psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council. Their qualifications mean they are eligible for chartered status with the British Psychological Society, after postgraduate training in educational psychology.
Contact the EPS service
If you have a question about the EPS services, contact the team.
