Reconstructing educational psychology reports: an historic opportunity to change educational psychologists’ advice?

Abstract

The dynamic between theoretical underpinnings and practical demands of the educational psychologists’ (EPs’) profession is explored with regard to the contrasting explanation of problems along the ‘within child’ to ‘context of child’ dimension. Reference is made to earlier work which provided a paradigm shift away from individual diagnostic and therapeutic work towards EPs’ involvement in research, projects and working with schools as systems. This change has not been closely reflected in the content of educational psychology reports submitted for Statutory Assessments. The opportunity has arisen for a profound review of the content of statutory educational psychology reports via the relevant sections of the Children and Families Act 2014 (Part 3) and the associated Education, Care and Health Plans which replaced Statements of Special Educational Needs. A case is made for the use of references within statutory educational psychology reports to psychological theory including the basis of more holistic conceptualisations.

Keywords:

• education
• psychology
• special needs
• statutory assessment
• systems approaches
• social constructionism

Notes

1. Under the guidelines of the Children and Families Act 2014 (Part 3) the “local offer” provides information for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place.