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Educational Psychology (Scotland)

Educational Psychologists in Scotland aim to improve outcomes for children, young people and families by applying Psychology to educational contexts. As such they are concerned with children’s learning, well-being and development.

The statutory requirements of an Educational Psychology Service in Scotland arise from the 1980 Education (Scotland) Act (SOED, 1980). The requirements focus upon the assessment of educational needs, including for the Children’s Hearing System, and policy and practice advice to educational establishments, education departments and government bodies. In 2002 a review by the Scottish Executive described this work as being carried out under five headings: consultation, assessment, intervention, training and research (SEED, 2002). Educational Psychologists offer advice and consultation on educational and developmental issues for children and young people. Services are part of a council’s education function but aim to provide an independent perspective on the educational needs of a child or young person. Much of this work has focused upon 0-19 years, but services are also now in the process of providing a service to post-school settings and providers.

Educational Psychologists have a role in improving or optimising the learning and development of all children and young people. They work to prevent a child or young person’s additional needs acting as a barrier to their learning and development. Educational Psychologists work within a variety of educational contexts and work collaboratively with staff, pupils, parents and other adults to help identify educational needs and strategies to meet those needs. They work with and within systems, applying different psychological knowledge and skills, as appropriate, at an individual, group or organisational level.

Downloadable Documents

Award in Ed Psychol (Scot) Regs_Hbook 2008.pdf

Enrolment Form.doc

Evaluation of Professional Competence (EPC) Form.doc

Reflective Practice Log.doc

Assessment Checklist.doc

For further information or help please contact the Qualifications Officer for the Award in Educational Psychology (Scotland)

IMPORTANT: The information on this page may change when statutory regulation for practitioner psychologists is introduced (1 July 2009). Please note that while most of the general information is likely to apply post statutory regulation, the continued validity of specific information cannot be guaranteed. In particular, visitors to our webpages should note that changes to the terminology used in the Society’s membership structure (e.g. Chartered Membership, instead of registration as a Chartered Psychologist; Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, instead of Graduate Basis for Registration) remain subject to formal ratification and may therefore change. Visitors should also note that whilst the specific information on these pages is accurate at the time of writing, the validity of information contained within any linked documents cannot be guaranteed.

The Qualifications Team is currently updating documentation relating to Society Qualifications to reflect these changes and revised versions will be uploaded to the Qualifications webpages as soon as they are available. Please contact the Qualifications Team with any queries.