Blaenau Gwent Psychology Service

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the study of all aspects of human behaviour. So psychologists are interested in -

How we develop
How we learn
How we communicate
How we think
How we feel
How we behave

What is an Educational Psychologist (EP)?

EPs work with children and young people age 0 - 19, their families and schools. EPs promote the emotional well being, development, behaviour, learning and the rights of ALL children and young people. All schools in Blaenau Gwent have access to the services of an EP.

What do EPs do?

EPs give advice and guidance to children, young people and their teachers and parents/carers about how to deal with a wide range of problems to do with behaviour, feelings and learning.
EPs talk with teachers, parents and carers and others about how best to support and meet the needs of children and young people.

EPs assess the learning and emotional/behavioural needs of children and young people to help their schools support them in the most effective way.

How does the Service work?

EPs offer consultation, advice and training for schools and carers on how they might help children to make the most of their educational experiences. EPs talk to those who know the child well such as their parents and teachers to understand their views of the child’s strengths and difficulties. EPs may observe a child in class or in the playground, will seek the child’s views and/ or may ask the child to undertake some tasks. EPs may see a child more than once.

Parents and carers are experts about their own children and we welcome the opportunity to meet with parents of the children we are working with. Parents and carers will receive reports that we may write about their child.

We work with:

groups of school staff and early years staff to develop ways of working with children
headteachers, advisers, advisory teachers and education officers to develop approaches to teaching and learning
schools to provide guidance on managing whole school issues, such as reducing bullying, improving behaviour and supporting children’s learning
groups of children and/or their parents and carers
individual children and/or their parents and carers
other professionals from health authorities, social services and voluntary organisations
pre-school providers, parents and carers for children under school age.

Requesting the Involvement of the Blaenau Gwent Psychology Service

Usually, EPs and schools work together to prioritise the children we become involved with. Whilst other professionals, parents and carers can contact the Service directly, we will normally go back to the school and discuss the needs of the child before taking any further action.

The school or other referring agency will always discuss with parents the reasons why the involvement of an EP might be helpful and parental consent will be sought before a referral is made.

If you are concerned about your child’s development or learning you should, in the first instance, speak to the special needs co-ordinator (SENCo) at the school or pre-school setting.

Finally …

We are keen to improve our service to children, families and schools and value comments about the service we offer. Please let us know your views.

For further information please contact

Blaenau Gwent Psychology Service,
Blaina Community Centre,
High Street,
Blaina,
NP13 3AN

Telephone (10495) 357890 / 357891