A Career in Educational Psychology

1
A Career in Educational Psychology

• Kate Williams
• kw72_at_kent.ac.uk

2
What do Educational Psychologists do?

• Educational psychologists apply psychology to
  helping children and young people
• Most work within the local education authority
  system.
• They deal with difficulties in learning and
  social adjustment.
• Aim is to enhance learning

3
Where do they work?

• LEAs
• Self-employment
• Social Services

4
What is a typical day like?

• Direct work
• Indirect work
• Casework
• Staff development and supervision

5
Why do people use Educational Psychologists?

• Cognitive and Diagnostic learning assessments
• Dyslexia assessments
• Arrange support for students

6
How can I get into this area?

• Pre-2006 BSc Psychology, Teaching Experience, 3
  year Doctorate
• Now BSc Psych (accredited, and GBR). Experience
  with children, 3 year Doctorate programme.
• Extra academic qualifications

7
What is the Doctorate like?

• 1st year Based full-time at the University.
• 2nd and 3rd year Employment with an LEA
• Once completed, can apply for Chartership. See
  www.bps.org.uk, for more information
• Practical and Academic experience

8
Salary

• Trainee 21 000 - 29 000
• Newly qualified Chartered - 31 000
• 41 000
• Senior/Principal Ed Psychologists
• 41 000 - 56 000

9
Pros and Cons

• Pros Cons
• Rewarding - Stressful
• Salary prospects - Training is for the UK
• Option for self- system
• Employment
• Career breaks
• possible
• - Flexibility option

10
Valuable Experience

• This is a must!
• Demonstrate you have significant experience with
  children between 0-19 years. (www.liv.ac.uk)

11
When should I gain experience?

• As early as possible!
• During your BSc degree
• Link to your final year project
• All different types of experience
• Important what you learn from it, and how you
  reflect on what you have learnt.

12
Where can I gain experience?

• Youth clubs
• Charities
• Probation Service
• Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)
• NHS
• Care homes
• Drug Action teams
• Advice lines e.g., Childline
• Schools

13
Where can I gain experience?

• Childrens Centres
• Victim Support
• Mentoring programmes e.g., Rainer
• Can be difficult as you will need a CRB check
• Jobs/Posts to look for

14
Is there much competition?

• Popular area of Psychology
• Four applicants for every place on the Doctorate
• However, once trained currently a shortage so
  you will be in demand!

15
Universities currently offering the Doctorate

• University of Birmingham
• University of Bristol
• Cardiff University
• Exeter University
• University of Manchester
• University of Newcastle
• University of Nottingham
• Queens University Belfast
• University of Sheffield
• University of Southampton
• UCL
• University of East London

16
Where to look for jobs

• www.psychapp.co.uk - job adverts
• The Psychologist magazine
• The Guardian newspaper
• Local press Kentish Express here
• www.communitycare.co.uk
• Local Authority websites www.lgcareers.com
• Research posts in Universities www.jobs.ac.uk

17
Further links

• www.bps.org.uk
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.aep.org.uk
• www.cdwcouncil.org.uk - Childrens Workforce
  Development Council
• www.monster.co.uk
• www.reed.co.uk

18

• Good luck!
• Any questions, feel free to email me
• kw72_at_kent.ac.uk