Dr Emma Gore Langton Educational Psychologist Why be an EP? Dr Emma Gore Langton Educational Psychologist

My story

What people think we do Diagnose dyslexia ‘Statementing’ Gatekeeper of resources IQ & cognitive assessment SEN Tribunals Exam concessions

What we actually do Learning & wellbeing of CYP aged 0-25 Assessment Children Consultation for Families Intervention Schools Training Organizations Research

A problem analysis approach Scientist practitioners: Hypotheses Test using observation, consultation & assessment Identify dimensions of the problem Integrate dimensions into conceptualisation Identify strategies & intervention to address problem

An interactive factors approach Environment Biological Cognitive Affective Behavioural

A week in the life Drop in sessions – team meeting – statutory meeting re child – supervision for trainees – emails and admin – telephone advice line – data analysis – organizing conference – group facilitation – assessment of child at specialist school – video interaction guidance with parent at home – problem solving consultation for young adult at college – training session for school staff – writing grant proposal for new project – primary school visit

Who do we work for? Local authorities... Dramatically different context: Third sector organizations Schools themselves Social enterprises Private practice

How is it different from?.. Formulating problem and identifying needs vs. diagnosing disorders Holistic: children’s learning, social, emotional, communication, sensory & medical needs Psychologists, not ‘super teachers’ ‘Not an expert’ approach

The best bits Community based – reaching the vulnerable Never see the child as the problem Systemic practice at its most effective Autonomy- practical and professional Variety of work

The hardest bits Reliant on others to get interventions implemented How little time we spend with children! Balancing demand for ‘report’ writing with client-facing time Living in your car!.. and potential isolation

Getting there Get a good understanding of schools and education Get good insight into the role (not just the training!) Think about the kind of psychologist you are, and which training approaches are a good fit Develop your interpersonal skills with adults https://www.gov.uk/educational-psychology-funded-training-scheme

Pathways to training Need GBC plus minimum 1 year FT experience in education, health, social care, youth justice, childcare or community setting What you get from your experience is more important than the role itself... Keep a record of all bits and pieces of experience- number of hours and details of role Start practising reflection- how did you apply psychology in these positions?

References & Resources Frederickson, Miller & Cline (2008). Educational Psychology- part of Topics in Applied Psychology series EPNet- listserv for practising and trainee EPs. Good insight into day to day work of EPs https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=EPNET Educational Psychology thread on ClinPsy forum- lots of discussion about applying for training UCL’s course website- very comprehensive info on all aspects of requirements and application process. Helpful reading list.

Other relevant reading New SEN Code of Practice (Sept 2014) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25 Greg Brooks’ What works for literacy difficulties? Inclusion Development Programme for autism spectrum conditions Frameworks for Practice in Educational Psychology (Woolfson et al.)