Doncaster Council

Information Regarding Access to the Educational Psychology Service

All schools, mainstream and special schools, have a named Educational Psychologist who works closely with key staff members, most often the Head teacher and the school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. The majority of time available is spent on school-related work including providing statutory psychological advice, attending school reviews and planning meetings with staff and parents, where appropriate. 

Where there are educational concerns about children and young people's learning, development or behaviour, the first port of call for families will always be to discuss these with school staff. All schools and many early years settings have a nominated member of staff with specific responsibility for coordinating arrangements for meeting pupils' additional special educational needs - this is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (or SENCo).

They are able to seek additional advice and involvement from a wide range of external agencies - Health, Education and Doncaster Council Children's services. Schools can also draw on the knowledge of local and national support groups and the voluntary sector. Schools are therefore best placed to determine if and when additional professional advice is needed, and from where that can be accessed, including contact with their named Educational Psychologist if this is needed.

The Educational Psychology Service can be contacted by any agency, with parent/carer permission, or directly by families themselves, for advice on matters of children's development where these are not school-related. The Service may well be able to offer helpful suggestions, offer advice on strategies or suggest where families might be able to get further or more specific information or support.