At the end of March the DECP published advice on talking to children about coronavirus.

The advice was very well received at a national level and various media outlets covered the guidance, including the BBC, local radio stations and the Daily Express.

The advice had five main points:

• It's good to talk
• Be truthful but remember your child's age
• Allow children to ask questions
• Try to manage your own worries
• Give practical guidance

The advice is an example of the DECP's continuing work to raise the profile of educational psychologists through engaging with important current debates.

Recognising the contribution of trainees and creating a thriving community of EPs is vital for our profession. We know that access to the journal Educational & Child Psychology is currently only possible through DECP membership and that research undertaken by practising EPs can be hard for trainees to access.

The DECP is exploring the possibility of division membership being free throughout training. Trainees would only need to pay the reduced BPS membership rate of £36, plus a £21 application fee.

We hope this would contribute to the sharing of research, debate and new perspectives between those currently on training courses and the wider DECP community. We will keep you updated on our progress towards this.

Work continues on the current BPS Senate Campaign and the DECP presence on an expert reference group enables us to influence government to incorporate psychological thinking and frameworks into their decision making. We are gathering research and practice evidence related to the campaign.

From Poverty to Flourishing comprises three strands intended to cover the whole lifespan:

• early years (0-5 years)
• families
• communities

As well as efforts to alleviate or address poverty and its effects, we are interested in examples of flourishing and hope.

Examples of assets-based or strengths-based work, community psychology and innovative practice are welcome.

If you have examples of relevant practice or case studies that would illuminate EP work in any of these strands please email them to us

The Psychologist magazine is also keen to receive brief descriptions of projects or other activities that make a contribution to the From Poverty to Flourishing theme.

You should send your brief descriptions to the magazine's editor Jon Sutton

We are looking for more members to join the DECP Debate editorial team. The publication comes out four times per year and is one of the ways we hear the voices of our division.

As well as looking for contributions to the exchange of ideas and views in DECP Debate, we need EPs to take a role in keeping the publication current, representative and forward looking.

We are particularly interested in EPs currently practising in local authority services so that we can continue to represent the interests and challenges relevant to many of our members.

To express an interest in joining the editorial team, please email the editors

The project to update guidance for EPs contributing statutory advice continues.

Representatives from the DECP, the Association of Educational Psychologists and the National Association of Principal Educational Psychologists are in the process of drafting and synthesising material gathered from the really productive event held back in October.

The aim is to create best practice guidance that will be adaptable to local circumstances and needs. We hope a draft document will be ready for consultation in May.

The BPS continues to contribute to discussions about the scope, trajectory and evaluation of the mental health support team initiative.

This includes consideration of how education mental health practitioners link with school staff and work alongside EPs.

Discussion has also recently raised the possibility of difficulties a child is having being seen from a ‘within child’ perspective rather than taking full account of systemic factors.

Educational Psychologists clearly have a vital contribution to make to this work and we must continue to make our voice heard.

We are keen to support our members through potentially long and stressful proceedings when a complaint is raised with the HCPC against a practitioner.

The AEP do an excellent job of providing legal and practical support, and we would like to explore the support that we can offer alongside this

If you have ideas or suggestions, please email us.

We continue to build on the phenomenal success of the Dyslexia Debate held in January 2019.

Watch this space for a dyslexia working group and do get in touch if you would like to contribute or join the group.

In today’s changing landscape, guidance on ethical trading and adhering to quality standards is more needed than ever.

These helpful guides are available on the DECP website:

• Ethical trading: guidelines for practice for educational psychologists (2nd edn)

• Quality standards for educational psychology services

We are seeking associates to support the work of the DECP committee.

Associates play a crucial role in contributing to campaigns and communications.

A key role is in supporting the committee to respond to government consultations on a wide range of issues.

For a recent example, see the consultation response to the Online Harms white paper.

If you would like to contribute, make your voice heard, and support the work of the DECP and BPS, please email the DECP

Evidence-based practice is central to our profession and we want to support EPs to continue to undertake research throughout their careers.

We currently offer a DECP-sponsored Applied Research Award worth £3,000.

As a committee, we are aiming to increase this to £5,000 and will keep you updated.

• Download the December 2019 newsletter

• Download the August 2019 newsletter

• Download the December 2019 newsletter

Schools should never use the threat of taking away break or lunch time from school children as a punishment, or when they are forced to catch up on unfinished work, says a new position paper from the DECP.

• Read more about this

The Department for Education is seeking views on the development of character and resilience in young people.

• Read more about this

The Centre for Mental Health is now seeking evidence from organisations to share their knowledge, experience and understanding of mental health inequalities.

• Read more about this

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology will be held on Thursday 9 January 2020, 1.00pm at Park Inn by Radisson, Silver Street, Northampton, NN1 2TA

You must be signed-in to access the following material

• Download the agenda and reports (members only)

If you have any queries regarding the AGM, nominations or resolutions please email Member Network Services

Call for nominations and resolution Items 2020

The Annual General Meeting of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology -  Northern Ireland (DECP NI) has been reconvened and will take place on Thursday 2 April 2020, 6:00 PM via Zoom. 

Meeting ID: 597 310 425

Password: 758847

You must be signed-in to access the following materials

• Download the agenda and reports (members only)

If you have any queries regarding the AGM, nominations or resolutions please email Member Network Services.