Educational psychologists 
   in Wales
               Educational psychologists in Wales
               Audience
               Education professionals and parents/carers. 
               Overview
               This guidance provides information to education professionals and parents/carers 
               on the role of educational psychologists and their contribution to education in 
               Wales.
               Action required
               Educational professionals and parents/carers should consider this advice in relation 
               to the expected support that children and young people can receive through 
               educational psychologists. 
               Further information
               Enquiries about this document should be directed to:
               Additional Learning Needs Branch
               Support for Learners Division 
               The Education Directorate
               Welsh Government 
               Cathays Park
               Cardiff
               CF10 3NQ
               e-mail: Additionallearningneedsbranch@wales.gsi.gov.uk
               Additional copies
               This document can be accessed from the Learning Wales website at  
               gov.wales/learning
       Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg.
       This document is also available in Welsh. 
               © Crown copyright December 2016       WG30419      Digital ISBN 978 1 4734 8202 9   
                                                                                                                                                           Introduction
         Contents
                  1. Introduction                                                                                                                       2
                      Purpose of this document                                                                                                          2
                   Overview                                                                                                                             2
                      Who do EPs work with?                                                                                                             3
                      How do EPs work?                                                                                                                  3
                      What type of services can EPs offer?                                                                                              3
                      When do EPs become involved with individual CYP?                                                                                  4
                  2. Early years (0–5 years of age)                                                                                                     5
                      When should the EP become involved with individual children?                                                                      5
                      What do EPs do within the early years age range?                                                                                  5
                      Early years – individual casework                                                                                                 6
                      Early years – group casework                                                                                                      6
                      Early years – wider systems casework                                                                                              7
                  3. Primary age (5–11 years)                                                                                                           8
                      What do EPs do within the primary age range?                                                                                      8
                      Primary age – individual casework                                                                                                 8
                      Primary age – group casework                                                                                                      9
                      Primary age – wider systems casework                                                                                            10
                  4. Secondary age (11–18 years)                                                                                                      11
                      What do educational psychologists do within the secondary age range?                                                            11
                      Secondary age – individual casework                                                                                             12
                      Secondary age – group work                                                                                                      13
                      Secondary age – wider systems casework                                                                                          14
                  5. Post–16 age range                                                                                                                15
                      What do EPs do within the post-16 age range?                                                                                    15
                      Post-16 – individual casework                                                                                                   16
                      Post-16 – group casework                                                                                                        17
                      Post-16 – wider systems casework                                                                                                18
                  6. Local authority and community                                                                                                    19
                      What do EPs do within the LA and the community?                                                                                 19
                      What do EPs do within the community?                                                                                            20
                  Glossary 22
                                                                 Introduction
    1. Introduction 
        Purpose of this document
        The purpose of this document is to inform parents/carers and professionals about the role of 
        educational psychologists (EPs) and their contribution to education in Wales. The document 
        has been written jointly between the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) 
        and the Welsh Government (WG). An explanation of terms and acronyms is provided in 
        the glossary.
        This first section provides a general introduction to the work of EPs. Examples of EP work 
        with different age groups are expanded in the following sections of the document. The case 
        studies have been anonymised for reasons of confidentiality.
        Overview
        EPs work with children and young people (CYP) to support their development, well-being, 
        resilience, learning and achievement. They are person-centred in their approach, working 
        with others to help to achieve best possible outcomes for CYP. The focus of an EP’s work is 
        to support and develop the skills of others to identify need and promote inclusive approaches 
        that can help.
        The majority of EPs in Wales are employed by local authorities (LAs), although some work 
        in private practice. Every LA has an educational psychology service (EPS) but there are 
        variations in service delivery to meet local needs. Parental/carer consent would normally be 
        obtained prior to an EP working with a CYP. Sometimes young people can give consent for 
        themselves, depending on their age and level of understanding.
        EPs have:
        •  specialist graduate and postgraduate qualifications in applying psychology in education
        •  a knowledge of current Welsh education systems and practice
        •  a detailed understanding of child development and special educational needs (SEN)
        •  substantial experience supporting CYP
        •  experience in undertaking research in relation to CYP.
        EPs receive:
        •  continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure that they remain at the forefront 
         of practice
        •  regular professional supervision.
        The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulates all EPs to ensure that they 
        adhere to the highest professional standards.
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