Stoke-on-Trent Educational Psychology Service (SoT EPS)
Our values: ‘Kasserian Ingera’ is a greeting often used by the Maasai Tribe of East Africa, it means ‘How are the children?’. What the Maasai have taught us is that asking after the welfare of the children is taking a temperature of the state of the family, community and nation. ‘How are the children?’ Is a call to action, a call to work towards their well-being and safety, to ensure that they are learning and thriving, if they are not then it is a call for us to do something about it. Stoke-on-Trent Educational Psychology Service has at its heart the needs of children, young people and their families and will continue to ask ‘How are the children?’
What we do: Educational psychologists (EPs) apply psychological theory in their practice to support the removal of barriers to learning and well-being for children, young people (0-25yrs) and their families. EPs work with the systems that impact on children’s lives with a view to inform these systems as well as transform them so that all children have their needs met appropriately.
The EPS promotes inclusion, values diversity, champions the voice of the child, young people and their families. We try to work in a solution-focussed way aiming to work collaboratively with children, young people and their networks.
EPs work primarily in educational settings and covers issues relating to child development and education - especially under each main area of the SEND Code of Practice (2014). Through the use of consultation, observations, assessments, monitoring and evaluation we are able to offer support and guidance in order to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people with challenges accessing appropriate education.
EPs work alongside other professionals in multiagency partnerships as part of the support network as well as providing opportunities for staff development via training and other CPD activities.
EPs work in ways to help prevent difficulties and challenges becoming more entrenched as well as contribute psychological advice to the SEND statutory Education, Health and Care needs assessment process.
In the first instance, parents and others caring for/providing a service to children or young people should try to discuss concerns with providers of universal services (e.g. schools/other settings/visiting professionals such as Health Visitors), who will seek EP advice or make a request for EP involvement from our service, on your behalf.
Please click on the following link to read more about the Stoke-on-Trent Educational Psychology Service
Contact details
Dr Michele Perry-Springer, Principal Educational Psychologist
Telephone: 01782 234700
email: ed.psychology.admin@stoke.gov.uk
Address:
Hazel Trees
Duke Street
Fenton
ST4 3NR
Times:
Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 16:30