Educational Psychology (EP) Team

Educational Psychologists contribute to helping the borough achieve all of the “Every Child Matters” outcomes for children and young people as described in the Children and Young People Plan. We focus especially on helping schools and families to ensure that vulnerable children and young people are able to “enjoy and achieve” in their education. We also help children and young people to “stay safe” by supporting schools and families in dealing with bullying and to “be healthy” by helping schools to support emotional well-being and provide direct interventions for children who are showing emotional difficulties.

"Educational Psychologists are a crucial part of much of the government's thinking. In terms of multi agency work and some of the inclusion work that is clearly laid out in the Green Paper ‘'Every Child Matters'’.
Hansard (8 June 2004) House of Lords

"Educational Psychologists should deal with inclusion. They are a crucial factor in creating the circumstances for proper inclusion for children who are disaffected, have special needs or could do better in their school environment".
Hansard (8 June 2004) House of Lords

A fundamental principle of the Educational Psychology Team is that, to be effective, it is crucial to work with and help solve psychological problems at different levels of intervention ranging from working at the child to a whole school, system or organisation level.

Who we work with

  • The Educational Psychology Team works with children and young people and their families across the 0-19 age range via Early Years services, schools, further education provision and community groups.

How the EP team works

  • The EP team applies psychological knowledge understanding, principles and skills in educational settings.
  • Works to promote the education, development and well-being of children and young people, particularly those experiencing significant difficulties and disadvantage
  • Contributes to organisation and policy development at school and authority level.
  • Is creative and professional
  • Aims to work preventatively
  • Strives to deliver high quality and relevant psychological services to vulnerable children and families in Waltham Forest (WF)
  • Visit all nursery, primary, secondary and special schools on a regular basis.
  • Works to improve access and equity to children, young people and their families

The range of services given includes:

  • A regular, free consultation service to nursery, primary, secondary and special schools
  • Issues concerning special educational needs (SEN) and additional educational needs (AEN). These include learning difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties and matters relating to disability
  • Supporting individual children, their families and school staff.     
  • Training for schools and other professionals
  • Working with other agencies and professionals
  • Engaging with local communities, extended schools and voluntary organisations to increase community user involvement and access to educational psychological services.

Specifically, our team provides:

  • Consultation with school and other agency staff
  • Observations of pupils and group
  • Meetings with parents/carers, providing consultation, advice and support
  • Individual assessment of pupils
  • Schools with summaries of our visits
  • Feedback of relevant findings to school staff and parents/carers including agreements about interventions where appropriate
  • Liaison with other professionals
  • Advice on plans and interventions
  • Attendance at reviews and other conferences
  • Research and development
  • Statutory assessment under 1996 Education Act
  • Attendance at statutory annual reviews for children with statements of SEN
  • Direct therapeutic work at the individual and group level
  • Advice to school regarding SEN procedures, agencies, research findings and other areas within the knowledge and experience of the Educational Psychologist (EP)
  • Training for schools and other professionals
  • Parenting classes and support
  • Development of participatory and innovative approaches to effectively engage and empower local families and communities to identify their needs and priorities, and access relevant EP services

Safeguarding

  • The EP team fully recognises that the needs of the child are paramount; that each and every child deserves the opportunity to achieve his or her potential; and that all children have to be safeguarded from harm and exploitation.
  • The EP team fosters an ethos where all children feel secure, and are always listened to. The EP team also recognises that the responsibility for the protection of children must be shared because children are safeguarded only when all the relevant agencies and individuals accept responsibility, and work collaboratively.
  • The EP team procedures for safeguarding children are in line with the London Child Protection Procedures.
  • There is a designated member of staff for child protection, who provides advice to colleagues in the service who have concerns, and who ensures that all new members of staff are aware of the EP team policy and procedures, and know how to recognise and refer concerns,

Looked after children (LAC)

  • The Educational Psychology Team has a designated psychologist with responsibility for enhancing the knowledge of the whole EP team with regards to the factors which contribute to better outcomes for this vulnerable group of young people.
  • Our work with children in public care may involve visiting the child/young person at school, working with and on occasions providing training for their teachers and parents/carers, as well as working collaboratively with other professional groups.

Integrated working

  • The Educational Psychology Team is involved with developing more integrated working practices and use of integrated working tools. For example, schools request our involvement following completion of the CAF (Common Assessment Framework) form with some additional information.
  • Members of the team are also taking part in a pilot project into the supervision of lead professionals, who will be assigned to specific children and young people.

» How to access EP services

Contact us

Integrated Education Support Service
Educational Psychology Team
Summerfield Centre
99 Leyton Green Road
Leyton E10 6DB

Tel 020 8496 1759/1760 /1761