The Psychology Service provides specialist expertise and written advice as part of the statutory multi-professional assessment under the 1996 Education Act. This will usually involve an educational psychologist visiting the pupil in school, observing and interviewing the pupil and meeting with the parents.
The educational psychologist draws upon specialist observations and makes critical use of information provided by others in order to assess children's needs in their current context.
Psychologists always provide schools and parents with a clear record of their involvement. Parents have full access to the advice psychologists write about their child.
Pupils with statements may be placed in mainstream schools or special schools by the Education Authority. In order to ensure an equal opportunity of access to the Psychology Service, the time devoted to this work is allocated across these different locations, as needed.
During 2005/2006 the Service is continuing to target particular groups of pupils with statements. These include, for example, pupils at NC Yrs 5 and 9 where the focus for schools, parents and other services is to identify and begin preparations for each pupil’s transfer to Key Stage 3 or post-16 arrangements. The psychologist sets out to determine whether and how s/he can best assist in supporting the pupil's progress. It may include attending the pupil's statutory review, follow-up and/or monitoring progress.
The Service also works closely with members of the Special Education Section at Marlborough House and provides specialist advice to the LEA on ways of ensuring the match between individual needs and provision.
