How can educational psychologists work within further education to support young people’s mental health? An appreciative inquiry

ABSTRACT

Following legislative changes introduced under the Children and Families Act (2014), educational psychologists (EPs) now work to support the needs of children and young people up to the age of 25. While there is a small but emerging base of contemporary research exploring the role of the EP within the post-school sector, to date few studies have addressed student mental health. This is despite the prevalence and widespread implications of mental health difficulties and the promotion of positive mental health being framed as a multi-agency responsibility. In order to explore this research gap, an appreciative inquiry was conducted through a series of focus groups with six members of an educational psychology service (EPS) in order to explore how practice could be extended to support the mental health of young people in further education (FE). Data were contemporaneously produced and analysed through narrative discussions and Thematic Analysis. Key areas for EP support were highlighted in relation to transition, therapeutic group work and capacity building. Facilitators and barriers to the extension of EP support within FE are highlighted and contextualised. A tentative model for guiding future practice is proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• Educational psychology
• further education
• mental health
• post-school

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Geolocation information

Keywords have been selected that are relevant to the article and to searches undertaken within this study. Author ORCID identifiers have been included where appropriate.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Department for Education (DfE) National College for Teaching and Learning (NCTL) ITEP award 2014-2017

Notes on contributors

Rachel Morris

Rachel Morris is an educational and child psychologist working for a local authority service in the North West of England, UK. Previously Rachel was a doctoral student at the University of Manchester. Her research interests include child and adolescent mental health, therapeutic intervention and the developing role of the educational psychologist in the post-school sector.

Cathy Atkinson

Cathy Atkinson is Curriculum Director of the Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology programme at the University of Manchester, UK and a practising educational psychologist. Her research interests include motivational interviewing, adolescent mental health and therapeutic approaches.