Exploring the role of assistant educational psychologists within local authority educational psychology services in England. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodley-Hume, T. A.; Woods, K.
• Is Part Of: Educational psychology in practice. Volume 35:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Assistant educational psychologist -- contribution -- paraprofessionals -- school psychology -- role; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; 370.1505
• DOI: 10.1080/02667363.2018.1548345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-7363

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Following consistently high demands for educational psychology services (EPSs) and recent influences upon the delivery of EPSs, the contribution of assistant educational psychologists (EPs) was explored via a multiple case study design. Participants included assistant psychologists, EPs and senior/principal psychologists from two local authority EPSs in England. Recorded focus groups and interviews were transcribed and a thematic analysis was conducted to produce a cross case analysis. It was found that the assistant EP role emerged from EP recruitment difficulties and that assistants work in diverse ways to enhance and extend the EPS offer to schools to improve outcomes for children; however, the role did not reduce EP workloads. Challenges to the successful deployment of assistant EPs were highlighted along with implications for their practice and future research. Benefits for the assistants themselves included career progression experience.