English councils need to hire 1,400 more educational psychologists, says report Rising demand from children with special needs means the £140m required could come from government grants

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Amazing Conference at Durham University hosted by the Brilliant Professors Joe Elliott and Johny Daniels with inspirational EPs discussing strategic responses to children’s literacy difficulties- great to share visions for next seps with @donnawiggettep.bsky.social and @joannastanbridge.bsky.social

Quote reads People recognised that our role extends far beyond assessments, encompassing consultation, intervention, upskilling, early years support, and research. Dr Helena Bunn Division of Educational and Child Psychology. Photo of Dr Helena Bunn Psychology Matters and BPS logos.

What role should education psychologists play in a reformed education system?'

We invited Dr Helena Bunn @bps-decp.bsky.social to represent the BPS at a Labour Party Conference panel.

Find out about Helena's experience 👉 www.bps.org.uk/news/psychol... …

#EducationalPsychology
#EdPsych

Radical SEND support shake-up risks political backlash Leaks suggest plans for a complete redesign of special educational needs and disabilities support in schools.

The long awaited SEND reforms could be announced early next week #edpsychs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Details of the long awaited SEND reform could be announced early next week.

A colourful poster announcing Trainee Educational Psychologists’ Initiative for Cultural Change’s (TEPICC’s) Reflective Practice Groups for Black and Global Majority applicants who have an interview for an Educational Psychology course (2026 entry). Black and/or Global Majority refers to people who are Black, Asian, Arab, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the Global South, and/or have been racialised as 'ethnic minorities'. The dates for groups are as follows: 9th January 2026; 12th January 2026, 3rd February 2026; 11th February 2026; 20th February 2026; 2nd March 2026. These groups are held online from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. TEPICC can be contacted via email at tepicc1@gmail.com or on X/Twitter and Instagram @tepicc1.

🎉 TEPICC Reflective Practice Groups are back 🎉

These groups are for Black and Global Majority applicants who have an interview for an Educational Psychology Doctorate course (2026 entry).

The Eventbrite link in our bio will be updated w/c 29 December for registration.

Remember spaces are limited!

DfE commits £26m to recruit more educational psychologists Funding for hundreds more educational psychologists announced amid concerns that specialists are spending too much time on admin rather than supporting children

Welcome news today that the government is investing in expanding the EP workforce to enable proactive early intervention support👇🏻 www.tes.com/magazine/new...
#EdPsychs

DfE commits £26m to recruit more educational psychologists Funding for hundreds more educational psychologists announced amid concerns that specialists are spending too much time on admin rather than supporting children

Some very welcome news today! 👇🏻
www.tes.com/magazine/new...

Young actors using Shakespeare to show how the current education system demoralises teachers and can fail vulnerable young people made us more determined than ever to bring about change

@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#blueskyeps
#psychologymatters
Intermission Youth Theatre

Powerful and inspirational messages - Dr Joanna Stanbridge and Dr James Wood - cautioning against polarisation & moral absolutism - advocating we revisit and reaffirm our philosophical orientations

"The purpose of revolt is not to dominate or humiliate, but to affirm a common dignity" (Camus, 1951)

#DECP2026 #edpsych
The powerful voices of Intermission Youth Theatre Company sharing insights into systemic and structural causes of ‘Exclusion’, both social and educational. Utterly brilliant, emotionally engaging- you spoke and we listened! 👏👏👏

Dr Helena Bunn on the pragmatic, financial and equity imperatives of early intervention.

“Prevention isn’t a luxury, it’s the only affordable option that is also ethical”

@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#blueskyeps
#psychologymatters

Prof Stephen Gorard on how structural divergences in the education system create inequality from the moment children enter EYFS.

A tour de force on the need to challenge fundamental assumptions that shape allocation of school places.

#DECP2026
@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#blueskyeps

Jo Ward on a groundbreaking systemic approach to shifting EP work from being mainly at the statutory end (where it has to be) the early intervention/preventative end (where it needs to be)

“Taking EPs out of our offices and into schools”

@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#DECP2026
#blueskyeps

Francesca Heffernan and Raychel Burke on their amazing work in Bury on community educational psychology as a vehicle for addressing social justice. Inspirational, and a fantastic model of innovative EP service delivery.

@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#DECP2026
#blueskyeps

Prof Johny Daniel on disparities in the way specific learning difficulties are identified. Likelihood predicted not by scores but by:
*school
*gender
*EAL status
*income

Critical considerations for how to support equity in identification & support

@bpsofficial.bsky.social

#DECP2026
#blueskyeps

Prof Diane Reay’s stark & powerful caution on the impact of inequalities on children and young people’s happiness, sense of safety & feeling valued and wellbeing in schools.

Poverty has increased in the UK by 20% since 2024. CYP are living in Dickensian levels of poverty.
@bpsofficial.bsky.social

Dr Helena Bunn sharing some of the work the DECP committee has doing:
💫Becoming a culturally competent practitioner
💫Guidance on supporting asylum seekers
💫ECJ & Debate journals
💫EP Pre-Training events
💫’I’m an EP. Ask me what I do’ movement

@bpsofficial.bsky.social
#DECP2026
#Blueskyeps

Dr Jawad Shah on the need to be braver, more community-focussed more “people-first” & to value slowing things down in our educational EP practice

An inspiring & catalysing call to rethink some of our professional assumptions & to reconsider better ways to walk our values

@bpsofficial.bsky.social

Dr Reem Ameri sharing an absolutely brilliant approach to helping marginalised young people to share their views using a 6-Step Narrative Approach.

A fun, user-friendly psychologically-situated session that has given EPs a fantastic and accessible tool to use in our work.

@bpsofficial.bsky.social

Absolutely mind-blowing performance of Excluded by the fantastically talented Intermission Youth Theatre

Beyond brilliant not only to watch but to hear the young people involved talk about how drama, in particular Shakespeare, has such a positive impact on their lives @bpsofficial.bsky.social

Dr Mel Jones’ brilliant session on the factors that influence how educational psychologists prioritise work in schools and how this might impact outcomes for children and young people.

Critical consideration for equitable approaches to service delivery.

@bpsofficial.bsky.social

An absolute joy celebrating the contribution of some outstanding EP colleagues at the #DECP2026 awards:
💥Jo Ward and Sarah Crawford - Distinguished Contribution
💫Sue Franklin - Special Recognition for Impact and Leadership
⭐️Sandra Dunsmuir - Lifetime Achievement

@bpsofficial.bsky.social

An amazing buzz in the room and important conversations. Collaboration and collective thinking. #DECP2026 #psychologymatters #edpsychs

An important opportunity for EPs to share their perspectives and insights into literacy difficulties and how to enable fair and equitable access to literacy support for those with needs 👇🏻 #edpsychs

#DECP2026 is honoured to be joined by Youth Intermission Theatre performing Excluded

⭐️Youth Intermission Theatre supports young people in the youth justice system through creative performance,rehabilitation,collaboration&positive personal development
#blueskyeps @bpsofficial.bsky.social

#DECP2026 Keynote Dr Jawad Shah on:
✨Moving to systemic,community-driven,justice-oriented practice shaped by historical&geopolitical realities
💥A call for reflective privilege-checking,workforce diversification&policy influence to address structural inequities
#blueskyeps @bpsofficial.bsky.social

#DECP2026 Keynote Prof Diane Reay on:

🪫An emotional landscape of dissatisfaction, fear and anxiety
💷 The impact of growing class inequalities on the English education system

#blueskyeps @bpsofficial.bsky.social

#DECP2026 Keynote Prof Stephen Gorard on making the the school system fairer by exploring:

⚖️ factors which impact attainment and exclusion including socio-economic segregation
🔍what drives these inequalities and actions could reduce them
#blueskyeps @bpsofficial.bsky.social @sgorard.bsky.social