Educational psychology and learning support service
The team includes educational psychologists, learning support advisory teachers, advisory teachers for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders, office support staff and a coordinator for personal education plans for looked after children. We can offer consultation, assessment, advice and support to parents and teachers where there is a concern about the development, learning or behaviour of children.
Many children have problems with their development, learning and behaviour at some point in their lives. Most improve with the help of their families, their schools and their friends.
Every school has a named Educational Psychologist and a Learning Support Advisory Teacher. As a service we work with school staff, with individuals or groups of children and also give training to schools as well as carrying out small research projects. An educational psychologist has a first degree in psychology and a masters degree in educational psychology. They also have a teaching qualification and teaching experience. A learning support advisory teacher is an experienced teacher with specialist qualifications in teaching children with a range of additional needs
The advisory teachers for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders work with pupils with this diagnosis and are qualified teachers with experience and additional qualifications in this field.
The Learning Support Advisory Teachers work mainly to support pupils with learning difficulties especially literacy difficulties. The educational psychologist’s work encompasses children and young people with a broad spectrum of need within their educational settings and also liaison with their families. Educational psychologists work with pupils in early years settings as well as schools.
The parent/carer's agreement is needed before asking an Educational Psychologist or Learning Support Advisory Teacher or Advisory Teacher for pupils with ASD to work with a child or young person.
If parents are concerned that their child may have special educational needs they should in the first instance speak to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) at the school or pre school setting. The school or setting will be able to put together a plan to help the child and monitor the progress.
If the difficulties persist the SENCo, with parental permission, may inform the Educational Psychology and Learning Support Advisory Service. If a parent of a very young child is concerned, a discussion with the allocated Health Visitor or Doctor would be advisable.
Our service initially offers consultation to school staff which involves discussing children or young people with their parents, teachers and others who know them well. If Educational Psychologists or Advisory Teachers need to assess a child or young person in school they do this in a number of ways, which may include:
-
observing the child/young person in their setting, classroom or playground,
-
reviewing the work they have been doing in class,
-
speaking to the child,/young person
-
looking at any special provision already made for the child
-
assessing the child's strengths and difficulties
-
working with school staff on strategies and approaches to help plan a suitable programme
The early years setting or school is the best place to discuss whether your child may have special educational needs. They will explain the procedures and what action, if necessary, is being taken to help your child. School will explain what exactly happens at the various stages of the SEN procedures.
Contact information
Nicola Gardener
Principal Educational Psychologist/Head of Service
The Educational Psychology and Learning Support Service
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK42 9AP
Tel: (01234) 228693
Fax: (01234) 228980
Email: EP&LSS@bedscc.gov.uk|