The Psychological Service
About the Service
We exist to support the psychological and educational development of all children and young people in Clackmannanshire. Through the application of psychology and child development principles we provide a range of services to children, young people and their families as well as to schools and others who work with and for children. The Psychological Service actively contributes to national and local priorities for raising achievement, supporting inclusive educational practices and supporting school improvement. In this way we assist Clackmannanshire Council to fulfil its statutory duties towards children and young people in the 0-24 age range.
Nationally as well as locally, the balance of work for educational psychologists is increasingly shifting towards working with key adults most closely involved in the lives of children and young people - parents or carers and teaching staff - with perhaps less direct involvement with children and young people. However, there will still be times when individual and small group work with children and young people will be appropriate.
As a Service and as individuals we are committed to working in genuine partnership with all those who use the Service.
Educational Psychologists work to an agreed Code of Conduct, Ethical Principles and Guidelines laid down by the British Psychological Society.
Who is in the Psychological Service?
The psychological Service consists of a group of educational psychologists, the transition coordinator, early years workers, administrative and clerical staff, all working together to meet the needs of children and young people in Clackmannanshire.
Who do we work with?
We work with all schools, including nursery schools, pre-five partnership providers and the family centres - and with children, young people and parents. When appropriate we visit parents and children at home. We also work with Health, Social Work, the Children's Reporter and the voluntary sector.
What do we do?
The Psychological Service has five overlapping functions: Consultation, Assessment, Intervention, Training and Research.
- We consult with teachers, parents and carers to find the best ways of helping children and young people including those with additional support needs
- We assess children's additional support needs
- We undertake direct psychological intervention work with children
- We advise the local educational authority
- We provide training for professionals, voluntary groups, parents and carers
- We do project work and research to improve teaching and learning and to promote the psychological well-being of all children
- We support schools, parents and others working with and for children
- We manage and participate in the Community Early Assessment Team (CEAT)
- We provide a specialist service to children and families affected by loss, trauma or abuse via the Interventions for Recovery Project
- We provide a Post School Psychological Service to assist young people with additional support needs in the transition from school to post-school
Clackmannanshire Educational Psychology Service was evaluated in 2009 by HMIe. A copy of the evaluation is available below.
Access to the Psychological Service?
Much of the work of the Psychological Service is school-related. All Clackmannanshire's schools, nurseries and family centres have a named educational psychologist who works closely with key staff members. In this way we learn about any concerns that school staff might have about a child's learning and/or behaviour. Schools use a Staged Intervention process to deal with such concerns and if appropriate might ask the school psychologist to become involved. Parents will always fully participate in the decision to involve the psychologist.
Parents can contact the Psychological Service directly to discuss concerns about their child's development, learning or behaviour. Local agencies can also do this with the permission of parents.
Contact Information
If you would like further information please contact the Principal Psychologist or your school psychologist at:
Publications & documents
- Evaluation of Clackmannanshire Thinking Skills Initiative
- HM Inspectorate of Education's summary of evaluation of the educational psychological service in Clackmannanshire
- Indirect Learning - Evaluation in mainstream settings
- Psychological Services Service Statement, Summary of Role and Functions April 2009
- Seasons for Growth Education Programme
- The Psychological Service - Information for Parents and Carers leaflet
External Links
See also
Page tools
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Principal Psychologist, Psychological Service
Second Floor , 15 Mar Street, Alloa, FK10 1HR
Tel: 01259 226000 / 450000
Email: psychological@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
