Universal
Educational Psychologists promote a relationship – based approach to support adults to meet the needs of children and young people. They consider developmental, learning, environmental and psychological factors which contribute to a child’s mental wellbeing and support schools to ensure children and young people have the experiences and supports they need to overcome barriers to their learning. They also explore ‘exceptions’ and protective factors which contribute to a child’s capacity to use their coping skills within schools. They use their knowledge of psychology to help schools and families understand how they can support children and young people to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Targeted
Educational Psychologists look at ways in which the school and home environment may be adapted to better support a child and to remove barriers to their learning. Educational Psychologists support schools to deliver programmes and strategies which help children and young people to understand and address anxiety or to cope with loss. They support education staff and parents in understanding what a child’s behaviours are communicating. E.g. a child may avoid certain situations because it is stressful. They can help a child learn to self-regulate by using relaxation strategies or mindfulness or cognitive behaviour therapy approaches. Educational Psychologists can also work with children and young people to enable them to understand how their mind works and to help them to develop strategies which enable them to cope with difficult situations.