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 0.4 fte from a Scottish Government grant to support Community Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Each member of the team is linked to a cluster or group of schools. 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
Cluster and linked Educational Psychologist
ASN – contact the school or service directly
Bo’ness – Fiona Ewan, Educational Psychologist in Training (EPiT, 3rd year)
Braes – Elaine Fitzpatrick
Denny – Jennifer Greenhill
Falkirk – Mairi Duncan and Louise McClatchey
Graeme – Eoin Keane and Helen Benzie
Grangemouth – Eoin Keane
Larbert – Julita Barecka-Young and Helen Benzie
St Mungo’s – Lyn McLafferty and Jennifer Greenhill,
Jay Alderson – Trainee Educational Psychologist (TEP, 2nd year)
Early years – Susi Wakely.
Susi provides the Psychology service to most of our Early Learning and Child Care Centres and Partnership Nurseries in Falkirk. For children attending nurseries that are part of primary schools then staff and parents should contact the same link psychologist as the school.
Some arrangements for single schools in clusters are different from the general information above. This list is subject to change. Please contact your child’s school in the first instance.
Falkirk Council Educational Psychology Service is Accredited by the British Psychological Society to provide such placements. Some link psychologists are in the process of becoming fully registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council. They will use the title Educational Psychologist in Training and be working in supervised practice until that is completed.
February 2025
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
by email: educationalpsychologyservice@falkirk.gov.uk
