Community Educational Psychology Service to Early Years

Early Years Settings - Consulting with the Community Educational Psychology Service

The majority of an Educational Psychologist's pre-school casework arises through Notification procedures (1996 Education Act Section 332(2)) from the Primary Care Trusts (Health) after a child is 2 years old.

The purpose of an Educational Psychologists response to notification is to establish whether a child may have special educational needs and require 'Special Arrangements' on entering full-time school.

If having gathered a range of information it is agreed a child may require special arrangements in school an Educational Psychologist would recommend to the local education authority that they consider making a Statutory Assessment of Special Educational Needs (Education Act 1996 Section 332(2)).

Alternatively an Educational Psychologist may work with the family and provider to help support the child at Stage 3 of the Department for Children, Schools and Families Code of Practice.

Early Years Settings

There may be occasions where it could be appropriate for an Early Years Setting to seek advice or direct involvement from the Community Educational Psychology Service.

Early Years Settings may approach the Community Educational Psychology Service for informal professional consultation (e.g., general strategies, advice on behaviour management, learning activities, silent children and disabilities).

If an Early Years Setting has concerns about a specific child, the parent/carer should be made aware of these concerns and asked if they are willing for the staff to consult an Educational Psychologist.

If a parent/carer raises concerns with the Early Years Setting and indicates they wish to seek further advice (e.g. behaviour management, transfer to school and general developmental concerns), the Early Years Setting may put them in touch with the Community Educational Psychology Service or offer to contact the Community Educational Psychology Service for them.

If an Early Years Setting would like active involvement from the Community Educational Psychology Service with a child (i.e. Early Years Action Plus - Special Educational Needs Code of Practice), the parent/carers and Community Educational Psychology Service should be consulted initially.

Following discussions, if it is agreed that it is appropriate for an Educational Psychologist to become directly involved with a child and family a 'Consultation Request' form and a 'Views of parents/carers' form will be sent by the Community Educational Psychology Service to be completed by the Provider and Parent/Carer.

It would be expected that records of any Early Years Action (Special Educational Needs Code of Practice) already taken would be available to the Community Educational Psychology Service.

Educational Psychologists can offer advice to families, pre-school staff or others in helping to develop a young child's skills in a range of areas including:

Play and early learning
Social skills
Language and communication
Emotional development and behaviour
Self-help and independence

Which Educational Psychologist to contact

If you have any queries, in the first instance, contact Kathy Gayton, Educational Psychologist, on 020 8270 6900.

Liaison and Joint Working arrangements

It is important that once an Educational Psychologist is involved with a child effective liaison takes place. Often this takes place through an Educational Psychologist visiting an early years setting, review meetings with parent/carer, telephone or written correspondence.

Joint work can involve:

Observations and discussions about a child's progress and ways of working with the child
Joint target-setting, involving staff and parent/carers
Review meetings with parent/carers
Statutory assessment of special educational needs

Staff Development or Training Workshops can also be provided by the Community Educational Psychology Service. (See the Early Years and Childcare Service Training Manual for further information).

Community Educational Psychology Service to Early Years

Early Years Settings - Consulting with the Community Educational Psychology Service

Early Years Settings

Which Educational Psychologist to contact

Liaison and Joint Working arrangements

Contact