To access North Ayrshire ‘s Educational Psychological Service website click here
They can also be found on https://twitter.com/nac_eps , or contacted on 01294 324 500, and psychologicalservice@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Educational psychologists are concerned with the development of children and young people, from birth into young adulthood. This includes the development of children’s overall mental well-being, as well as their learning. Educational psychologists work collaboratively with pupils, parents/carers, education staff, and other professional to help identify educational needs, and barriers to learning. Educational psychologists then work to develop strategies to address these needs and barriers.
Finally, educational psychologists also carry out research. This is vital in ensuring that the development of policies and practices are research and evidence-based. For example, educational psychologists have evaluated the effectiveness of parenting programmes, and nurture groups, and have gathered and analysed staff views on Whole-School nurture approaches. These are just a few examples of a wide variety of research carried out by our educational psychologists.
The educational psychologists in North Ayrshire carry out their work mainly through early years settings and school establishments. Each establishment will have a link educational psychologist who will work with staff and parents to identify and support children’s needs, and other school improvement priorities.
Some of the key areas Educational Psychologists are involved in are:
- Bridging the Attainment Gap
- Supporting the understanding of neurodiversity (including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, etc) and working towards inclusion
- Supporting Change and Loss
- Supporting resilience
- Promoting Positive Relationships
- Restorative Approaches
- Nurturing approaches
- Trauma-Informed approaches
