The Educational Psychology Service is led by Nick Balchin, Principal Educational Psychologist. There are 10 Educational Psychologists working for Falkirk Council (full time equivalent of 7.9 fte). We also have an additional 1.0 fte Senior Psychologist and 0.4 fte Eductaional Psychologist from 2 Scottish Government grants working in the Enhanced Support Team and on the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Single Point of Access.
To request an Educational Psychology service for a child complete the form
Educational Psychology Request for Assistance – About – MyFalkirk.
This system sends a request for consent to the parent, legal guardian or child over 16 so it is necessary to include their email and it is best practice to have at least informed them you will be requesting this service. Please upload supporting information to help us know what kind of service to provide through the secure document upload.
We are based in Falkirk Stadium and visit schools, nurseries and social work offices in normal circumstances. All Educational Psychologists are trained to postgraduate level, registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council and abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the British Psychological Society. We have up to two trainees who are all on the Scottish Government, University of Dundee and British Psychological Society pathway.
Principal Psychologist – Nick Balchin
Educational Psychologists
Susi Wakely, Senior Educational Psychologist, Early Years
Helen Benzie, Senior Educational Psychologist, Enhanced Support team
Elaine Fitzpatrick
Jennifer Greenhill
Mairi Duncan
Louise McClatchey
Eoin Keane
Julita Barecka-Young
Lyn McLafferty
Laura Weir, Trainee Educational Psychologist (TEP, till Aug 2028)
Kirstie Fairnie – Trainee Educational Psychologist (TEP, till June 2027)
Falkirk Council Educational Psychology Service is Accredited by the British Psychological Society to provide training placements. The Educational Psychologists in Training will be working in supervised practice.
How we assign
A psychologist will be assigned to support a child
- if they know the child or family already, then
- if they are already involved in the same school,
- thirdly if they are working within the locality (East. West, Central)
- lastly if there is no capacity within those groups to someone who has capacity to take on the work right now.
- We will assign children to the waiting list for a short period.
The method for assigning training and other systemic work requests will be similar but have more consideration for areas of expertise. Critical incidents and children at risk of education placement breakdown will still be prioritised, followed by statutory requests.
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East – Bo’ness, Braes, Grangemouth |
Central – Falkirk, Graham, |
West – Denny, Larbert |
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Louise McClatchey (0.6) Elaine Fitzpatrick (0.8) |
Lyn McLafferty (0.6) Mairi Duncan (0.9) Helen Benzie (0.3) |
Eoin Keane (0.8) |
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Across Authority (all localities) |
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Nick Balchin Susi Wakely (Early Years, 0.6) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
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Please complete one of our two online forms using these links
- Request for Assistance via MyFalkirk – Child request for individual children.
- Training and Consultation Request – to ask for us for training or consultation on topics not already in CPD manager or for bespoke events.
August 2026
Contact Details
Nick Balchin
Principal Educational Psychologist
Educational Psychology Service
Falkirk Council Children’s Services,
Suite 1a, Children’s Services
Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way,
Grangemouth, Falkirk FK2 9EE
By phone: 01324 506600
Educational Psychology Request for Assistance – About – MyFalkirk – secure document upload
