Plain-language explanation.
Applied educational psychology puts psychological science to work in schools, families, and communities — supporting children's learning, emotional development, and wellbeing, particularly those with additional needs.
Core concepts and standard treatment.
Core educational psychology covers assessment and intervention for learning needs (EP assessment — WISC-V cognitive; YARC literacy; KeyMaths-3 numeracy; EHCP — Children and Families Act 2014 — SEN Code of Practice 2015 — graduated approach — Assess Plan Do Review — universal, targeted, specialist provision; dyslexia — phonological processing deficit — Rose Report; phonics screening check; dyscalculia; DCD — MABC-2; DLD; selective mutism — CBT), ADHD and autism (ADHD — DSM-5 — NICE NG87 — methylphenidate — parent training — school support; ASD — ADOS-2, ADI-R assessment; AAC — PECS; TEACCH; PDA; neurodiversity — double empathy problem — Milton), and behaviour support (PBS — FBA — functional behaviour assessment; de-escalation — Team-Teach; exclusion — Timpson Review 2019; trauma-informed — PACE — DDP — Daniel Hughes; restorative practice in schools).
Deeper theory, debates and edge cases.
Advanced applied educational psychology covers evidence-based interventions (EEF toolkit — metacognition and self-regulation — collaborative learning; MENTOR resilience; Nurture Groups — Boxall Profile; Reading Recovery — Clay; FRIENDS for Life — Barrett anxiety prevention; SEAL — Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning; Forest School; ELSA — Emotional Literacy Support Assistants trained by EPs), systemic and consultation models (Bronfenbrenner ecological model; Bergen consultation; whole-school mental health — Anna Freud Centre; MHSTs — Mental Health Support Teams — EdPsy liaison — EBMHSS), and EP research (BPS DECP; single case experimental design — SCED; participatory action research; systematic reviews — What Works for Children's Social Care; EP consultation effectiveness qualitative evidence; NAPEP — NEP — national EP workforce).
How it is applied in practice.
At the chartered educational psychologist (HCPC, BPS) level, practitioners contribute to Educational Psychology in Practice; lead LA EP services (EHCP statutory assessment 20-week timeline; SEMH specialist provision; virtual school for looked-after children — LAC — attachment and trauma); conduct research (NIHR EP fellowship; NatCen SEN longitudinal study; CEDAR — Centre for Evidence and Development in Autism); advise schools (SLCN — Communication Trust; EAL differentiation; GRT education; LGBTQ+ young people — Stonewall; anti-bullying — Diana Award; Working Together 2023 safeguarding); and lead therapeutic assessment (forensic EP for YOT — What Works — YJB; custody assessment — adolescent brain development; adoption and court proceedings — parenting capacity assessment).