Psychologists' shortage claim

Educational psychologists assess children's special needs

Psychologists are warning that children with learning difficulties could suffer because of problems in funding training for school psychologists.

There is funding for only half of the 150 places on new training courses in England for this year, they claim.

They blame the crisis on a mistake by local government officials and are calling on ministers to intervene.

But local authorities reject this and say every effort is being made to secure funding for the vital service.

Educational psychologists work with schools to identify children's special needs and problems they have, whether behavioural, social or in the way they learn.

They devise programmes to help children and also work with parents of children with difficulties. They are usually employed by local authorities.

According to the British Psychological Society (BPS), funding is not available for almost half of the 150 places for this year because of what it calls an "error" by the Local Government Association.

Professor Pam Maras, president of the society, said: "We are asking the government to consider its position in the light of the deepening funding crisis and the maladministration by the LGA.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS Most employed by local education authorities Tackle problems associated with learning difficulties, social or emotional problems Write reports for special educational placements, court or panel proceedings Work in schools, colleges, nurseries and special units Work directly with children or indirectly with parents Liaise with other professionals in education, health and social services Plan and carry out research

"Offers for funded training places are due to be made to candidates next week but if the money is not available then sufficient numbers of professionals will not be able to begin their training.

"This would mean there was not enough trained staff coming through the system to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people."

Professor Norah Frederickson of University College London says the situation is very serious.

"The bottom line in this crisis is that it is children and their families who will be the losers.

"I would like to see the government departments involved sit down and come up with a rescue package for this year and work out with all the stakeholders a way forward for the future."

"Disastrous consequences"

The current situation arose after a change in the way educational psychologists are trained in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Previously, recruits to the profession did a one-year Masters course at a university, provided they had a PGCE (post-graduate certificate of education) plus two years of teaching experience.

But from last September, recruits needed to complete a three-year Doctorate course.

The changes brought the sector into line with the rest of Europe and with other areas of the profession, such as clinical psychology.

In England, the Local Government Association - which represents local councils - had previously funded the places through money earmarked for the purpose by the DfES.

They did this for the first of the new intake last September too, by way of transition.

But they also decided that in future the DfES should give the money directly to local authorities for them to spend on training educational psychologists.

The British Psychological Society say it is this which caused the problem and resulted in places not being funded.

It appears the money was sent out to local authorities as part of their general funding and was not set aside for paying for training.

Instead, it was distributed across the board, including to district councils (who have no responsibility for education) and fire services.

Professor Frederickson told the BBC News Website: "Following strong representations the LGA agreed to keep the funding centrally for a further year while an alternative central mechanism was established.

"However an error was made by the LGA and the funding devolved - with the disastrous consequences that had been predicted."

Long-term solution

Councillor Les Lawrence, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board said every effort was being made to ensure a long-term solution for the funding of the training of educational psychologists.

"The Local Government Association has worked hard with both partners and professionals to ensure as much money as possible is available for the training of educational psychologists next year.

"Councils are here to help people to fulfil their full potential and the association is working as part of a group to ensure a long-term solution for funding this training."

A spokesperson for the DfES said the matter was in the hands of local authority employers and the "professional interests".

"Educational psychologists play an important role in assessing SEN and in helping to formulate support arrangements for children with a wide range of needs, including those with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

"Discussions are still proceeding with regard to future funding arrangements. Educational psychologists are employees of local, not central, government and it would be inappropriate for the DfES to intervene in these discussions."

In Wales and Northern Ireland, the LGA has kept the funds for educational psychology centrally and students can receive three-year bursaries.

The Scottish system involves a two-year MSc course followed by one year's supervised practice.