Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2019
161. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be put forward for a NEPS assessment; if he or she is facing a lengthy waiting period on the public waiting list; if the service provider can recommend an educational psychologist to carry out such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have a NEPS assessment carried out; if they are facing a lengthy waiting period on the public waiting list; the circumstances in which his Department will recognise an educational psychological assessment carried out privately, for example, in circumstances in which a provider has been recommended by the service provider of the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 165 together.
As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments. (SCPA).
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.
This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention. I have made enquiries with the Cork NEPS Office and am informed that the child, the subject of the Deputy’s question, has not been raised for assessment with the assigned psychologist.
I would advise therefore that if concerns exist in relation to the educational or social and emotional development of the child in question that her parents should raise them, in the first instance, with the Principal of the school she is attending, with a view to Principal discussing the situation with the assigned NEPS psychologist.
