Children and Young People

My name is Philippa Grace and I am an Educational Psychologist.

Educational Psychologists are interested in how people think, learn, feel and behave.

Sometimes there are things going in our lives (or sometimes in heads) which worry us, and which cause a great deal of unhappiness.  Sometimes there might be particular things which we find difficult, or would like to overcome.  Some of the people I work with find communicating with people very difficult, for others it might be learning in school or college which is hard.  EPs are supposed to help find ways of making sure that people are able to learn, develop and live as happily and as healthily as possible.

In some of the places I have worked children and young people used to ask to come and see me, when they had things which were worrying them, or that they wanted to talk about.  Sometimes this was because learning or communicating with people was tough, or because of something that had happened to them, or that they were worrying about.

If I am working with you it is because your family (or you) believe that this will be helpful for you.

It is important that you know that I never ask people to do anything which makes them uncomfortable.  I will check with you that you are ok doing the things I ask you do.  We will talk about the things which you allow me to tell other people, or to write about in my report.

I will not tell anyone what we have discussed unless you give me permission, unless I think this is a safeguarding issue (this means we have talked about something which I think might mean you are not safe).

Part of my job is to find out more about the things which you are good at (your strengths) as well as helping to find out about the things which are hard for you, and the kind of things which might help with this.

After we have worked together we will discuss all of these things.  I will also write a report which hopefully will be helpful for you, your family and any professionals you are working with, including teachers and college staff.

Sometimes the report can be quite difficult to understand, but I am always happy for you or family to get in touch with me to discuss this.

Most of the people I work with find the EP assessment interesting and useful, and usually, it helps people feel a lot more confident.  I will always check with you whether you are feeling ok and happy to continue.  I really hope that you find working me useful.