The Service works with parents, teachers, pupils and mainstream schools to support children through intervention at an early stage of identified concerns. The focus of this support includes:
All mainstream schools have a named liaison educational psychologist. A plan of work is negotiated at a twice yearly planning meeting, which may include other services (e.g. Special Needs Teaching Service, Education Welfare Service). The Psychology Service’s teacher consultant co-ordinates the Service’s work in the major community languages of the city, to ensure access for bilingual pupils and their families.
Early intervention is available and appropriate throughout all the educational key stages.
At all times, the Service aims to reflect and support the City's diversity, through promoting the development of all children in their local community schools.
For children too young to be in school, the Service provides advice about their progress and development to parents and other professionals, working with children at home, playgroup or nursery.
The Service maintains close working relationships with other support services such as the Special Needs Teaching Service (Early Years Support Teachers, Learning and Autism Support Teachers, Behaviour Support Team), with Social Care and Health, Health Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
During 2005/06 the Service is continuing to contribute to a School Anxiety Project, with the Education Welfare Service, focusing on pupils whose poor attendance is associated with underlying emotional factors.
