Educational psychology is about applying psychological principles to help people learn. RSDCD is fortunate that, unlike the vast majority of schools, it employs its own Educational Psychologist (EP). EPs have a number of roles. Firstly, it’s their job to analyse a learner’s strengths and needs. This is done through a psychological assessment using materials appropriate to the needs of the individual student. It’s important to remember that at RSDCD the EP is only one member of a multidisciplinary team. By working together, the team members are able to build up a very full picture of how the student learns, how the student generally copes with life, and the best ways forward for the student. Once the team is in a position to describe the student as accurately as possible, the EP is responsible for collating the information and reporting it in a way that will support teachers and care managers in devising each student’s curriculum. The EP has an advisory role in working with staff across the site, suggesting ways of helping students make optimum progress. With RSDCD’s Link Worker, the EP visits students’ homes to help families with quality of life issues when parents feel challenged by the behaviour of their son or daughter. As behavioural difficulties often have their roots in problems with communication, the EP works closely with RSDCD’s Speech and Language Therapists, both in supporting RSDCD staff and with students’ families. Additionally, the EP organises in-service training activities around topics such as autism, child development and ways of supporting students who experience anxiety or stress.
To contact our Educational Psychologist call 0161 610 0138