Educational Psychology Service - professionals
Our Educational Psychology Service offers advice and support to schools and educational settings in Reading. Our educational psychologists (EPs) make sure the needs of children and young people (aged 0-25) are met, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). EP support addresses the needs of individuals, groups and whole school requirements and is developed around mental health, behaviour, autism, physical and sensory needs, and language and communication.
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Educational psychologists (EPs) support children, young people, parents/carers and school staff. This is offered when there are concerns about a child or young person’s learning, development, well-being, social interactions, mental health and/or behaviour. EPs also work more widely to promote the well-being and development of all children and young people.
EPs support nurseries, mainstream schools, colleges and specialist provisions, alongside the local authority.
All schools and educational settings under Reading Borough Council can buy sessions from BFfC Educational Psychology Service.
Sessions can be requested annually, in March, for the next academic year via the Reading Schools’ Services Portal.
Please read our Service Level Agreement Term and Conditions for details.
Contact Vikki Lawrence, Assistant Principal Educational Psychologist vikki.lawrence@reading.gov.uk to discuss BFfC’s EPS support for your school.
The EPS supports the wider work of Reading Council’s children’s services (Brighter Futures for Children) by supporting schools and educational settings to achieve local and national aims and innovations, to achieve better outcomes for all children. There is a particular focus on children with SEND and further needs.
EPs also have a statutory role within education, health and care plans (EHCPs). This means they have to provide services in some situations by law.
If the local authority processing an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA) for a child or young person, EPs will be asked to contribute.
Alongside the support available via our bought-back offer, BFfC’s Reading Ed Psych Service runs workshops, training and support sessions throughout the year.
For details, please contact the team at: EducationalPsychologist@reading.gov.uk
Our Educational Psychology Service runs a number of workshops and support sessions for parents and carers in Reading throughout the year.
View and/or download the training programme for parents/carers for all the course details including eligibility and how to book.
Children and young people with low and emerging mental health needs may be able to better get their needs met by the Mental Health Support Team (MHST). Please note this service is delivered by Berkshire Health. Find out more about accessing mental health support services.
Further support for parents and carers can be found via the Reading Family Information Service.
Ed Psych information for parents/carers
We also have a page to support parents/carers to understand educational psychology provision in Reading.