Topic outline

  • EP Consultations

    Virtual School Educational Psychologist Consultations

    We have an Educational Psychologist working within the team, offering consultations for children and young people aged 0 to 18 who are in care/looked after, have a social worker, are previously looked after or are in kinship care.

    What is an Educational Psychologist (EP)?

    EPs work to support children and young people in education settings to reach their full potential by working with them and key adults who support them. They draw on a range of psychological theories in their work, and the underpinning ethos involves looking at the environment around the child.

    What is a consultation?

    Consultation is a problem-solving space where key adults in a child’s life meet to discuss their strengths, needs and aspirations with an EP. The group works together to understand the child’s situation and whether this can be moved forward in any way. The consultation will last for one hour and will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

     Consultation with the Virtual School EP is not:

    -          part of an education, health and care needs assessment

    -          part of a diagnostic pathway for disorders such as ADHD and ASD

    -          a pathway to an in-depth EP assessment and school visit 

    -          linked to Hampshire Educational Psychology team

    For further information on how to access any of the above, please speak to your school’s special educational needs coordinator.

    Who can come?

    Important adults in the child’s life, such as parents/carers, teachers and other school staff, social care staff, virtual school staff, and other relevant adults and professionals. The child may also want to join the meeting to share their views.

    What happens after the consultation?

    The EP will provide brief written notes of key points and next steps identified.

    In order to book a consultation for a looked-after child/child in care, please complete the EP Consultation Booking Form (LAC). The individual providing parental consent for this may be the child’s social worker. If not, they will likely be able to advise who has parental consent.

    In order to book a consultation for a child with a social worker, a previously looked-after child, or a child in kinship care, please complete the EP Consultation Booking Form (Extended Duties).

    Once the booking form is complete, please email it to virtualschool@hants.gov.uk to book a one-hour consultation slot. We will then provide you with a Microsoft Teams link for your booked slot, which you can forward to other relevant adults you may wish to invite to the consultation.


    Available dates for consultations

    6 November

    11 November

    19 November

    27 November

    2 December

    12 December

    17 December