The Aberdeen City Council Educational Psychology Service (EPS) has a Consultation Model of Service Delivery. This means that we bring psychological theories to the interactions we have with others to support problem solving. We can offer consultative support around any topic linked to learning, development and wellbeing which is one of the unique contributions of our Service. Consultation can be found in every aspect of our work and is at the core of what we do in Aberdeen City.
Visual showing the levels of involvement of the Educational Psychology Service.
Most of the EPS' involvement takes place at a Universal level of support and through Systemic pieces of work. In a small number of cases, a short-term, Targeted role for an individual learner may be identified for the EPS. The work an Educational Psychologist does is varied. Read on to find out a little more about roles at each level.
Early Intervention Consultations (EICs) are one of the most common ways that we provide support for learners in Aberdeen City. EICs are available to all Education staff, Health Visitors, and Social Workers in Aberdeen City. They provide a space for reflective and collaborative problem solving around a topic/area that is important to the staff member. See below for some of the EIC topic areas we have discussed this year:-
Regulation of Emotions
Sensory Seeking Behaviours
Transition to Secondary School
Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA)
Pre-verbal Communication Supports
Through our systemic work we provide staff development and training opportunities. This work includes:-
Developing professional learning inputs and materials for Education staff
Facilitating training events
Delivering coaching sessions for Education staff
Participating in a range of working groups which develop guidance, resources and materials for learners, families and staff in Aberdeen City
Following an Early Intervention Consultation, a Targeted role with a learner may be identified for the EPS. At this stage an Educational Psychologist (EP) will identify a clear psychological role around which their work will be carried out over a short-term period (typically between 3 months - 9 months). This role will be shared with the family, Education staff and other key services.
EPs facilitate a Consultation meeting involving the learner and key partners. There may be a role for Assessment, Intervention, Training or Research following Consultation. EPs can use a range of approaches within these areas.
Some of the Assessment and Intervention work that EPs may carry out include:-
Person Centred Planning (PCP)
Dynamic Assessment
SCERTS Model Assessment
EPs do not assess and diagnose Learning Disabilities in Aberdeen City.
Consultation Meetings
Visual showing quotes about consultation from focus groups between the Educational Psychology Service and Head Teachers/Depute Head Teachers across Aberdeen City.
Following an Early Intervention Consultation (EIC), it may be necessary for the Educational Psychologist (EP) to facilitate a Consultation Meeting as part of their role at a Targeted Level for a learner. This meeting would involve the learner and key partners and would support the collaborative identification of actions to improve the situation for the learner. The EP will use a range of tools and skills which underpin Consultation to support the group to engage in reflective, solution-seeking discussions.