What Is an Educational Psychologist?

The Role of an Educational Psychologist

An educational psychologist (EP) is a qualified professional who specialises in understanding how children and young people learn, develop, and engage with education. They draw on psychological theory and research to assess a child's cognitive abilities, emotional wellbeing, and learning needs, and to recommend strategies and support.

EPs work with children from birth to 25 years of age. They may be involved when a child is finding it difficult to keep up with their peers at school, when there are concerns about a child's behaviour or emotional wellbeing, or when a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyscalculia is suspected. They also play a significant role in the EHCP process, providing advice that helps local authorities make decisions about the level of support a child needs.

In England, educational psychologists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and many hold chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS) through its Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP). This means they have completed a three-year doctoral training programme in educational psychology on top of an undergraduate degree and relevant experience working with children.

How an Educational Psychologist Differs from a Clinical Psychologist

Parents sometimes wonder what the difference is between an educational psychologist and a clinical psychologist, especially when both may work with children. While there is some overlap, the two roles have distinct focuses and training pathways.

An educational psychologist focuses primarily on learning, development, and education. Their work centres on understanding how a child engages with their school environment, how they process information, and what barriers might be preventing them from reaching their potential. They tend to work closely with schools, families, and local authorities.

A clinical psychologist, by contrast, typically focuses on mental health and emotional difficulties. They are trained to assess and treat a wide range of psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and more complex mental health presentations. Clinical psychologists often work within NHS mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Both professions are regulated by the HCPC, and both require doctoral-level training. In practice, there can be overlap — for example, an educational psychologist may support a child with anxiety that is affecting their learning, and a clinical psychologist may consider a child's educational context as part of their assessment. Some children may benefit from seeing both types of professional, depending on their needs.

When Might Your Child See an Educational Psychologist?

There are many reasons why a child might be referred to or benefit from seeing an educational psychologist. Some of the most common include difficulty with reading, writing, or maths that does not seem to improve with classroom support; concerns about attention, concentration, or memory; emotional or behavioural difficulties that are affecting learning; and suspected specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

An EP assessment may also be requested as part of the EHC needs assessment process. When a parent or school asks the local authority for an EHCP, the authority will usually seek advice from an educational psychologist to help determine the child's needs and the provision required to meet them.

Some parents choose to seek a private EP assessment when they want an independent view of their child's needs, when NHS or local authority waiting times are long, or when they need an assessment to support an EHCP application or tribunal appeal. It can be worth noting that local authorities are expected to consider evidence from private assessments, though they are not bound to follow private recommendations.

If you are unsure whether your child would benefit from seeing an educational psychologist, it can be helpful to speak with your child's class teacher or SENCO first. They may be able to share observations about your child's learning that help inform your decision.

What Happens During an EP Assessment

An educational psychology assessment typically involves a combination of meeting with parents, observing the child (sometimes in their school setting), and carrying out standardised assessments. The exact approach will depend on the reason for the referral and the age of the child.

During the assessment, the EP may use a range of tools to explore the child's cognitive abilities, such as their verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. They may also look at specific academic skills like reading, spelling, and maths. For younger children, the assessment may be more play-based and observational.

The EP will usually want to speak with you about your child's developmental history, their strengths, their interests, and the difficulties you have noticed. They may also want to gather information from the school about how the child is performing in the classroom and what support has already been put in place.

After the assessment, the EP will write a report setting out their findings and recommendations. This report may include a profile of the child's cognitive strengths and weaknesses, any diagnoses or identified needs, and detailed advice about the type of support that is likely to help. If the assessment is being used for an EHCP application, the report will specifically address the statutory criteria.

Finding an Educational Psychologist Through ChildWize

If you are considering a private educational psychology assessment for your child, ChildWize can help you find a suitably qualified professional. All educational psychologists on our platform are registered with the HCPC and have experience working with children across a range of needs.

When browsing profiles, you can look for EPs who have particular expertise in areas relevant to your child, such as specific learning difficulties, autism, ADHD, social and emotional needs, or early years development. Many of our EPs also have experience providing advice for EHCP applications and tribunal appeals.

Assessments can often be carried out online, which can be more convenient for families and may feel less stressful for children who are anxious about unfamiliar settings. Your EP will discuss with you beforehand whether an online or in-person assessment would be most appropriate for your child's situation.

It is worth being aware that a private EP assessment is an investment. Costs typically range from several hundred to over a thousand pounds depending on the complexity of the assessment and whether a school observation is included. Some EPs offer an initial consultation at a lower cost, which can help you decide whether a full assessment is the right next step.

ChildWize does not replace NHS or local authority educational psychology services. If your child is on a waiting list for a local authority EP assessment, you are still entitled to that assessment regardless of whether you also seek a private one.