We offer a traded service to schools, colleges and settings in Southampton City as well as offering services within the city and beyond such as the University of Southampton, the Virtual School and the Youth Justice team.
Our Educational Psychology (EP) traded work to support children and young people (CYP), families and educational settings falls under five main categories and can be delivered through individual casework, identified groups of CYP, schools/colleges or a cluster schools. We adopt a holistic approach to understanding the needs of CYP and therefore it is important for us to work closely with colleagues from Education, Health and Social Care.
| Type of work |
Examples |
| Consultation |
- To work collaboratively with school/college staff, parents/carers and key adults in a focused meeting to gain a clear understanding of Special Educational Needs and to agree priority actions to support the young person, which will be reviewed within an agreed time frame.
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| Assessment |
- Through observation to gain an understanding of the CYP's needs within the context of the classroom or playground alongside peers and key adults.
- Elicit the views/voice of the CYP in an age appropriate way through meeting them and using fun activities such as drawing, play-based activities and visual prompts.
- Analysing existing assessment information and identifying any gaps in curriculum progress.
- Using age appropriate and motivating assessment tools to further understanding of the CYP’s learning, social and/or emotional skills. This could be play based, person-centred, dynamic, cognitive or language skills focused.
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| Interventions |
- To be led by the EP or co-facilitated with a key staff member using well founded interventions e.g. curriculum-based programmes, trauma informed strategies or utilising therapeutic approaches. Intervention work can include work with parents/carers. It can be delivered in small groups or with individual CYP.
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| Staff Development |
- Staff surgery – problem solving discussions about individuals or groups (anonymous)
- Training courses that are offered in person, virtual or pre-recorded video (centralised or bespoke courses).
- Staff supervision or coaching sessions (1:1 or small group reflective discussions)
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| Research/Project Work |
- Working proactively with settings to develop their universal offer, for example, the TAAES project, EBSA Support Pathway. Small scale research projects related to an identified area or pattern of need in a setting and/or to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention.
- EPs are trained in a variety of research methodologies and can undertake small scale research projects to help address priority areas within a school development plan.
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