BPS Commissioned Report highlighting the shortage of Educational Psychologists

A new report, Educational Psychologists in England, commissioned by the BPS and led by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) was published this month. It highlights the ‘chronic shortage’ of Educational Psychologists (EPs), the disparity of provision across the country, and is the first comprehensive national assessment of the workforce since the Covid-19 pandemic.

What the report uncovered

Some of the report’s starkest findings are:

• Estimates show that for some areas, there was one EP for every 480 pupils. However, some areas had one EP for every 9,400 pupils, highlighting the huge disparities in provision
• The investment needed to address the 96 authorities with below benchmark staffing is £140 million a year – a modest investment compared to the wider cost of a failing SEND system
• Increasing staffing would give Educational Psychologists the capacity to provide more early intervention work, helping to improve retention and job satisfaction.

You can read the full press release, which includes all the key findings and recommendations, at the link below.

If you would like to know more or would like to be involved in helping share the report’s findings and calls for action, we’d love to hear from you. You can email us at policy@bps.org.uk.