An Educational Psychologist's Vision to Diversify and Strengthen the Workforce
12 Nov, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- About the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity within the Educational Psychology workforce.
- How to find and apply for the best Educational Psychologist jobs.
Are you curious to learn about how to tackle the shortage of Educational Psychologists? In March 2023, The Department for Education announced they are investing £21 million in training Educational Psychologists across two cohorts, in 2024 and in 2025.
We’ve spoken to an Educational Psychologist Dr Bonnie Wong to discuss ways to diversify the educational psychology sector, attract a broader range of candidates and tackle the national shortage.
Bonnie has a proven track record of success in supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and their families. With extensive experience working with families recently moved from China and Hong Kong to the UK, she brings a nuanced understanding of cultural transitions, offering valuable insights into the unique challenges and advantages these students and families experience whilst transitioning to their new school communities.
Discover how Bonnie began her career as a Teaching Assistant and an Outreach Support Worker in Aberdeen, and came to be a fully qualified Educational Psychologist for various local authorities in the UK.
Can you describe your journey to becoming an Educational Psychologist?
My journey towards becoming an Educational Psychologist began during my teenage years in Hong Kong, where I first witnessed the profound challenges faced by individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). A family member of mine had SEND but was denied education opportunities. This was my first encounter with social injustice, and it had a lasting impact on me.
At the time, Hong Kong's educational system was highly elitist; children were categorised into five different secondary school bandings based on their performance in exams akin to the Eleven-plus exam in England. The schools’ curricula and mediums of instruction varied considerably, which often restricted the academic potential and future opportunities of many young people (e.g., the possibility of going to University).
My understanding of inclusion deepened when I moved to Aberdeen, UK, and began working part-time as a Teaching Assistant while studying for my psychology degree. It was here that I truly began to understand the concept of inclusion. Seeing first-hand how diverse learners could be supported within mainstream settings opened my eyes to the importance of fostering inclusive educational environments.
From there, I worked in different roles including Inclusion Support Worker and Assistant Psychologist to gain knowledge and experience. These cumulative experiences have been instrumental in shaping my approach as an Educational Psychologist, particularly in advocating for the needs of children with SEND and ensuring their access to meaningful and supportive educational opportunities.
What does your job as an Educational Psychologist consist of?
As an Associate Educational Psychologist, much of my work revolves around conducting statutory assessments, where I apply psychological knowledge to develop formulations for EHC needs assessments.
In addition to this, I work regularly with a small patch of schools, which allows for a broader range of responsibilities. These may include Teacher consultations, report writing, and intervention work tailored to the specific needs of each school and its students. I also undertake expert witness work commissioned by Solicitors, which usually involves in-depth psychological assessment and formulation of children and families.
What skills are required to work in education psychology?
The skills required to perform these tasks include a deep understanding of psychological theory, research, and practice, strong communication and consultation abilities, and the flexibility to adapt to the unique needs of each situation.
A solution-focused and strengths-based approach is central to my practice, allowing me to identify and harness the individual strengths of children and their support systems.
What do you find most rewarding about working as an Educational Psychologist?
What I find most rewarding about working as an Educational Psychologist is the opportunity to effect positive change in the lives of children and their families, helping them when they feel most ‘stuck’, and empowering them to move forward, which is incredibly fulfilling.
Another of the key aspects of my role is the variety it offers - there is no typical workday or week! Each day presents new challenges, whether I’m assessing individual needs, or collaborating with parents and/or school staff.
One particularly memorable experience involved a young person with whom I had the privilege to work through ongoing, rather than one-off, involvement as a piece of casework. This pupil faced multiple challenges, both academically and socially-emotionally, which left him feeling isolated and frustrated at school.
He was also sadly at risk of permanent exclusion. This began to have a downstream effect on his behaviour at home, perpetuating his difficulties. Through close collaboration with his Teachers and parents, we developed a strength-based intervention plan, focusing on building his confidence (e.g. ensuring that he experienced incremental success in learning tasks) and his sense of belonging.
Gradually, we could see how he began to thrive, becoming more confident in his abilities and forming positive relationships with peers and staff. Watching his self-esteem grow and seeing him feel valued within his school community was incredibly rewarding.
What challenges have you faced in your role?
One of the significant challenges I face in my role is the limitation of being proactive and implementing early interventions for children and young people. This issue is compounded by schools being underfunded, which restricts the resources and support systems essential for timely and early intervention.
How do you keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date with the latest developments in educational psychology?
I regularly read academic journals, which gives me great insights into current research and best practices in the field. As a visiting fellow at a university who teaches Trainee Educational Psychologists, I am lucky to have access to lots of resources and to engage in discussions that really deepen my understanding.
I also attend training sessions to enhance my professional development and stay on top of the latest development in psychology. I also love listening to various podcasts about psychology, as they offer different perspectives and ideas.
Can you share a memorable experience where your work made a significant impact on a student’s educational journey?
I was approached to assess and support a young person who had recently relocated from China to the UK. The school was concerned about his limited academic progress and emerging language difficulties, with some attributing his ‘disruptive’ behaviours to a possible diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This was also compounded by school staff’s assumption that his English proficiency was more advanced than it truly was.
Through collaborative discussions with both his family and school, I was able to gain a more nuanced understanding of his language development in Chinese and social and academic English. His relatively well-developed social skills and everyday conversational language masked a significant delay in his academic English.
I was able to clarify to the school that his language abilities seemed more advanced than they actually were, especially as so much of our daily communication relies on non-verbal cues. This insight was pivotal in helping the school understand that his behaviours were likely stemming from language difficulties rather than behavioural issues.
Drawing upon my bilingual skills and psychological knowledge, I advocated for a more holistic approach to support his academic language development while challenging the perception of him as ‘naughty.’
Together, we created strategies to support his language acquisition and adapted his learning environment to better foster progress. This approach not only supported the child but also reframed the school’s view of him, cultivating a more inclusive and understanding environment for his growth.
Over time, he gradually built his confidence and self-efficacy; he began to engage more readily and form positive relationships with both peers and staff. Observing his growing self-esteem and sense of belonging within his school community was incredibly rewarding.
What do you feel can be done to tackle the Educational Psychologists crisis?
The education system requires significant investment, so that they have the capacity to meet children’s needs before they hit ‘crisis’ point.
In addition, we need more funding for the training courses so that we have more Educational Psychologists in the workforce who can provide systemic support to schools, such as through training. This is so that schools have the skills and knowledge to support students without the need for statutory assessments.
The current bursary system also often fails to provide a living wage, which discourages many potential candidates, such as those with young children, from pursuing this career path. I also think that it is important to promote diversity within the educational psychology workforce, such as the representation of black and ethnic minority groups, and males.
Raising awareness about the profession among younger generations can help attract a broader range of candidates, fostering a more inclusive and representative workforce.
What has been the most surprising aspect of your career as an Educational Psychologist?
The most surprising aspect of my career has been the variety of children, families, and educational settings I encounter, and how each situation is distinct and unique. Whether I am working in a maintained school or a private one, consulting with Teachers, or helping implement a new intervention; each day presents new learning opportunities. I enjoy this continuous learning and growth, which keeps my practice dynamic and deeply fulfilling.
Do you have any words of wisdom for someone considering a career as an Educational Psychologist?
If you are considering a career as an Educational Psychologist, my advice would be that it is absolutely worth it, even though the path can be quite competitive.
The journey requires dedication and resilience, so don’t be discouraged by minor setbacks along the way. It’s not uncommon, for example, to apply for the doctorate training course multiple times before being accepted. These challenges are all part of the learning process and will ultimately contribute to your growth as a professional and person.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to further strengthen my skills to support children and young people therapeutically. I am hoping to engage with additional training in evidence-based therapeutic approaches and integrate these skills into my practice.
Educational Psychologist jobs
If you’re searching for your next Educational Psychologist job, why not take a look at the latest vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
If you enjoyed this interview with an Educational Psychologist, check out the path to educational psychology from Trainees to Seniors and Principal EPs.
- Learning the ropes: An interview with a Trainee Educational Psychologist
- Challenges, training and advice from an interview with an Educational Psychologist
- Transforming education: An interview with an educational psychologist
- Supporting Teachers and families: A Senior Educational Psychologist's role.
- Behind the scenes: Principal Educational Psychologist shares his wisdom.
Struggling to recruit Educational Psychologists?
As specialist local authority SEND recruiters, we support local authorities nationwide with their temporary, interim and permanent staffing needs.
If you’re struggling to recruit, we have exclusive access to some of the most experienced interim Educational Psychologists in the UK.
Simply contact Natalie Boaler on 01772 954200 to discover how we can help.
Share your experience
Every individual brings a unique set of experiences, thoughts, and insights to the table. We believe in giving a voice to a community of professionals to inspire positive change and champion reform in the healthcare sector.
If you work in the healthcare sector and would like to share your own personal and professional experiences, we’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you have a different perspective, could offer a fresh angle, or want to challenge assumptions.
Simply reach out to our Head of Content, Nicole Sherwood, to discuss a collaboration which makes your voice count.
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
