Educational psychologist

As an educational psychologist, you'll work with children and young people from birth to 25 years old who may be experiencing learning, social, emotional, behavioural, communication or developmental difficulties, as well as those with disabilities or neurodevelopmental conditions.

Working collaboratively with families, schools and other professionals, you'll help children and young people overcome barriers to learning and development and achieve positive outcomes.

The role combines direct work with children and young people, consultation with parents, carers and education staff, and wider work to improve support systems.

You'll use psychological knowledge and evidence-based approaches to promote inclusion, support wellbeing and learning, provide professional guidance and training, and help shape educational policies and practice.

What does an educational psychologist do?

As an educational psychologist, you'll need to:

• assess children's and young people's learning, development, wellbeing and emotional needs using observations, assessments, interviews and consultation
• work with parents, carers, teachers and other professionals to develop appropriate support strategies and interventions
• provide advice and recommendations to schools and families through written reports and consultations
• collaborate with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to support children and young people with a range of needs
• deliver training and guidance to teachers, teaching assistants and other education professionals
• conduct and apply research to inform practice and improve outcomes for children and young people
• contribute to the development of educational policies, services and inclusive practices, helping schools and other settings remove barriers to learning.

Educational psychologist salaries

• Trainee educational psychologists employed by local authorities typically earn between £31,599 and £39,640, depending on their training year and employer.
• Once qualified, educational psychologists generally earn between £44,875 and £68,884.
• Senior and principal educational psychologists can earn from around £55,723 to £91,593.

Most salaries for educational psychologists in England and Wales are set through the Soulbury Agreement. Most jobs will be offered within a bracket of the full pay scale, rather than offering the full range. You can also apply to up to three additional structured professional assessment (SPA) pay points by demonstrating additional skills, no matter where you are on the scale.

In Scotland, pay is determined by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) and is broadly comparable.

Salaries in London and some surrounding areas may attract additional London or fringe area allowances.

Income data from the Soulbury Pay Scales and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS). Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does an educational psychologist work?

Working hours are typically around 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, although some evening work may be required for meetings with parents, carers or other professionals. Flexible working arrangements are common, provided service requirements are met.

Many educational psychologists work in a hybrid pattern, dividing their time between schools, local authority offices, other community settings and home-based work. Travel within a local authority area or region is often required.

There are opportunities for part-time work, flexible working, career breaks and job-sharing.

How do I become an educational psychologist?

To practise as an educational psychologist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This requires postgraduate training in educational psychology.

To enter training, you'll normally need Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), achieved by completing a British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited psychology degree or conversion course. For a full list of GBC qualifying courses, see BPS - Accredited Courses.

Training involves completing a three-year HCPC-approved and BPS-accredited Doctorate in educational psychology. Entry is competitive and usually requires a 2:1 degree or above, together with relevant experience working with children and young people in education, health, social care, youth justice or childcare settings.

Some courses may consider applicants with a 2:2 if they have evidence of further academic study and substantial relevant experience. Entry requirements vary, so check with individual course providers before applying.

Doctoral training combines university study with supervised practice placements in local authority or educational psychology services, as well as a substantial research project and dissertation.

In all four UK nations, most educational psychology trainees follow government-funded training routes. Funding arrangements vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but usually cover tuition fees and may include a bursary or training grant. In return, trainees are often required to work as an educational psychologist in the relevant nation for a period after qualification.

For more information on training routes and funding arrangements, visit the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) and individual course providers.

What skills does an educational psychologist need?

You'll need:

• psychological assessment skills to identify learning, developmental, social, emotional and behavioural needs using observations, interviews and other assessment methods
• knowledge of child and adolescent development to understand how children and young people learn, develop and respond to different challenges and environments
• consultation and communication skills to work with families, teachers and other professionals to identify needs and develop effective support strategies
• knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to support children and young people with a wide range of learning and developmental needs
• multi-agency working skills to collaborate effectively with professionals across education, health and social care services
• report writing and evidence-based decision-making skills to analyse assessment information and make clear, practical recommendations
• understanding of safeguarding and inclusive practice to support vulnerable children and young people and promote equitable access to education.

Do I need educational psychology work experience?

Entry to postgraduate training is competitive and you'll usually need the equivalent of at least one year's full-time experience working with children and young people in an education, health, social care, youth justice, childcare or community setting. This can be gained through paid employment or through a combination of at least nine months' paid experience and three months' sustained relevant voluntary experience. Requirements may vary between training providers, so check individual course entry criteria before applying.

Relevant roles include:

• assistant psychologist
• careers adviser
• community education officer
• early years worker
• learning mentor
• literacy tutor
• residential childcare worker
• social work assistant
• special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support worker
• speech and language therapist
• teacher
• teaching assistant.

Course providers will be looking for evidence that you can apply psychological knowledge in practice, reflect on your experiences and demonstrate an understanding of the role of an educational psychologist.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs educational psychologists?

Most educational psychologists in England and Wales are employed by local authority children's services. In Scotland, most newly qualified educational psychologists are employed by the local authority educational psychology service or psychological service. In Northern Ireland, the main employer is the Education Authority.

Other employers include:

• independent educational psychology practices and consultancies
• NHS services, including children's mental health and neurodevelopmental services
• schools, multi-academy trusts, colleges and universities
• social enterprises
• voluntary and charitable organisations such as Barnardo's and the National Autistic Society.

There are also opportunities for experienced educational psychologists to work on a self-employed basis as a sole practitioner or in a private practice partnership.

You might also work in a research organisation or university and become involved in teaching as well as research.

A driving licence and access to a car may be useful, particularly for roles involving travel between schools and settings.

Look for job vacancies at:

• AEP Careers - vacancies available to members.
• Jobs in Psychology
• LG Jobs
• myjobscotland
• NHS Jobs

Where can a career in educational psychology lead?

Newly qualified educational psychologists typically begin their careers in local authority services. With experience, there are opportunities to progress to senior or principal educational psychologist roles, take on responsibility for specialist areas of practice, or move into service management and leadership positions.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential throughout your career and is a requirement for maintaining HCPC registration. Professional supervision also plays an important role in supporting ongoing development and reflective practice.

Membership of organisations such as the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) and The British Psychological Society (BPS) can support your development by providing access to conferences, events, webinars, publications and networking opportunities. As the professional association and trade union for educational psychologists, the AEP also provides legal advice and assistance to members.

Career development often involves specialising in a particular area, such as early years, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurodevelopmental conditions, mental health, or supporting children and young people with specific learning or communication needs.

Some experienced educational psychologists move into consultancy, research, teaching, policy development, charity-sector roles or self-employed practice.