Gateshead Psychological Service supports schools and families to ensure that all children and young people can have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. The service comprises Educational Psychologists, who are trained in how to apply psychology to child development, teaching, learning and behaviour. They work with a wide range of issues which can impact upon children and young people’s progress in school, including specific and general learning difficulties, language and communication skills, social emotional and mental health.
Referrals to the Psychological Service are made by schools, nurseries and colleges, always with the permission of parents and/or the young person. The Educational Psychologists will then help schools to investigate difficulties in more depth and help plan next steps. Their work may include observation in the classroom, talking to the children/young people, carrying out assessments, speaking to key staff and family members. They may also become involved in helping deliver interventions. Sometimes they may help in different ways including training school staff in understanding a child’s particular difficulties or the strategies needed to overcome them.
The team have close working relationships with other teams who support Gateshead schools, including the High Incidence Needs Team, the Low Incidence Needs Team, the Early Years Assessment and Intervention Team, Primary Behaviour Support etc.
Educational Psychologists also carry out work on behalf of the Gateshead Council, for example the statutory duty of providing assessment and Psychological Advice, as part of the Needs Assessment process towards an Education Health and Care Plan.
For more information see the Gateshead Psychological Service website or email enquiriesps@gateshead.gov.uk