More than £4 million for educational psychologists

Up to 90 educational psychology trainees will benefit from the first three years of a new funding package agreed in partnership between Scotland’s Local Authorities and the Scottish Government.

It will help with training fees and living costs to encourage more specialists to train and work in Scotland.

Together the Scottish Government and Local Government will provide more than £4 million during the initial three years of the initiative to recruit more trainees in a combined effort to improve access to support and close the attainment gap. 

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“Improving the education and life chances of our young people is an ambition we all share. This new partnership funding package between the Scottish Government and COSLA, will help thousands of school pupils across Scotland.

“The work of educational psychologists significantly contributes to the equality, effectiveness and inclusiveness of our schools and they play a vital role in raising attainment.

“By working closely with the school community, and other relevant professionals, educational psychologists help build capacity to meet the learning and mental health needs of pupils and I am confident this significant investment will have long-lasting positive effects on many future generations of young people.”

Councillor Stephen McCabe, COSLA’s Spokesperson for Children and Young People, said: 

“COSLA Leaders have been clear that Educational Psychologists play a vital role in supporting our children and young people alongside other professionals. 

“I am pleased that we have been able to secure the  introduction of financial support for trainee Educational Psychologists which will hopefully increase the number of trainees available."

Background

Funding from 2018/19 to 2020/21 will be committed as below:

• Scottish Government contribution £2,845,500, of which nearly £1.5m is from the Attainment Scotland Fund
• Local Authority contribution £1,350,000
• The partnership funding model was developed with stakeholders, including psychology professionals,  through the Scottish Government chaired National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists.