Educational Psychology
Who are we?
We are a team of Educational Psychologists working for the Local Authority. We offer a comprehensive psychology service for children, young people and their families. We work with educational settings, health and social care partners and other organisations as part of Gloucestershire's graduated SEND pathway. Click here to visit our website
As educational psychologists, we use our knowledge of psychology, child development and social interaction to promote young people's development, learning and well-being (0 - 25 years). We are a highly qualified team linked closely with local university training providers offering research work and training in a variety of evidence-based approaches.
The service has four locally based area teams (Gloucester, Cheltenham, Forest of Dean, Stroud) which work closely with the Advisory Teaching Service. There are 24 (FTE) Educational Psychologists employed by the Local Authority to deliver both statutory and non-statutory work. The service provides training placements for up to 8 doctoral trainees (Year 2 and 3).
All staff working for Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service who have contact with children have had the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS formerly CRB) Check. All Educational Psychologists are members of the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
What do we do?
We work in a variety of ways including:
- consulting with children and young people
- consulting with families, teachers and other professionals
- providing advice and strategies to help facilitate positive change
- contributing to SEND support plans and reviews
- assessment of children and young people's learning, social and emotional needs
- working therapeutically with children, young people and families
- providing accredited therapeutic supervision in CBT
- providing training in evidence based approaches (including accredited Therapeutic Story Writing, CBT, Solution Focussed Approaches, Nurture Groups).
- providing psychological advice as part of Education, Health and Care Needs assessments
contributing to schools' inclusive practise including policy reviews and broader development work - providing supervision for doctoral trainees, educational staff and other professionals
- high quality evaluation, research and project work
Therapeutic Story Writing (Accredited Training)
Next training session
Day 1: 01 October 2018 - 9am to 3.30pm
Day 2: 29 October 2018 - 9am to 3.30pm
Day 3: 26 November 2018 - 9am to 3.30pm
Course Details
An accredited 3 day course to support children with emotional, social and behavioural needs through their own storywriting. The approach provides a non-threatening way for pupils, primarily in KS1 and KS2, to process difficult feelings while also developing the child's writing skills. Click here for full details.
Understanding and Supporting Children with a Diagnosis of ASC
Course details
This course is for teachers and teaching assistants at primary and secondary level will gives participants a good understanding of Autistic Spectrum Conditions and how it may impact on students in a school environment.
Participants will feel increased confidence in both understanding students' perspectives and how best to plan effectively to accommodate needs and improve the learning experience.
Course outcomes
- To understand what Autistic Spectrum Conditions are
- To be familiar with recent research about Autistic Spectrum Conditions
- To understand common strategies which can be used in school and the psychological theories behind these approaches
Requesting Educational Psychologist Involvement
Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service operates as a partially traded service. All statutory work for the Local Authority is part of the core service delivery offer which also includes support for Critical incidents, a consultation service for pre-school children and children in care. All other work is purchased through an annual subscription. Annual Subscriptions for Educational Psychology Service involvement can be purchased through http://www.businesssupportservices.org/ or by contacting Sharon Vidal sharon.vidal@gloucestershire.gov.uk
All educational settings have a named educational psychologist who can be contacted through their local office. If you would like EP involvement, please download, complete and return our form.
Information for Parents and Carers - Parent's Leaflet
Our Parents leaflet has more information about the service we offer. The local offer is also a useful source of information.
Educational Psychology Service Training
Details about all of the training courses the Educational Psychology Service run as well as the interventions that our educational psychologists can deliver directly with children and young people.
Traumatic Events
Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) poster
- Do you know families that want or need help with their relationships?
- Do you have staff that want to develop their communication skills, in an empowering and supportive way?
- Do you want an evidence-based, strengths-focused intervention?
Then VIG could be for you!
What is VIG?
VIG is a really positive approach that uses video to help people understand and improve communication, building happy, healthy and trusting relationships. It can help people recognise their strengths, and discover new skills, by helping them do more of the things they are doing well – just focusing and building on the positives.
Want to know more? Talk with your school’s GCC Educational Psychologist
or email vig@gloucestershire.gov.uk
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