What do Educational Psychologists do?

What is psychology?

Psychology is about the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

So, what is educational psychology?

Educational Psychologists are applied psychologists working both within the educational system and in the community.  We strive to improve or optimise the learning and development of all children and young people.

Who do you work with?

Much of the work of educational psychologists is with children and young people from 0-19 years in different educational contexts, though we also work extensively with parents/carers, teachers and other professionals.

What is it that you actually do?

Educational Psychologists have skills in a range of psychological and educational assessment and intervention techniques and methods for helping children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in learning or social adjustment.  We are involved in trying to help prevent children's learning, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. (Answers taken from Health Professions Council, 2008).

Part of an Educational Psychologist's role is to work at a strategic level, carrying out research and advising on policy development (Children's Workforce Development Council, 2010).

What examples are there of Educational Psychologist's work in practice?

Throughout this website there are examples of the range of the work in which Solihull Educational Psychologists have recently been engaged.  These stories illustrate the variety of psychological approaches we use.  They show the way in which Educational Psychologists operate on different levels for different tasks in their everyday work.