BPS Division of Educational & Child Psychology

27/03/2026

📰It’s a busy time in the EP world. Our latest DECP newsletter is packed!

📨Check your inboxes for details about:

✅ The DECP reponse to the White Paper and how you can be part of this (see also DECP Guest spot on Woman’s Hour 📻)

✅Vacancies for the Debate and ECP journey teams

✅Call for Early Career EPs

📆Sign up for the DECP’s free online Schools White Paper and SEND consultation event on 21st April: https://www.bps.org.uk/event/schools-white-paper-2026-and-send-consultation

British Psychological Society

24/02/2026

The government has released its Schools White Paper which aims to support children in the SEND system.

The paper, entitled "Every child achieving and thriving" aims to address the longstanding challenges facing the SEND system, but raises a number of questions about how the new levels of support will operate in practice.

Many parents are concerned about how the new system will work, especially because EHCPs and the new ISPs don’t have the same legal status.

Families need clear information and reassurance about what this will mean for their children, and those with an EHCP should retain a legal right to support when moving to any new system.

Hear more from Dr Andrea Honess, BPS Division of Educational & Child Psychology Chair: https://www.bps.org.uk/news/bps-responds-schools-white-paper?utm_campaign=PsychMat&utm_source=OfficialBPS&utm_medium=social

20/02/2026

👏Dr Abi Wright, Chartered member of the BPS DECP, has shared her top tips to help parents navigate social media safely.

❓Why are we sharing?
❓Who is it for?
❓Can it be done in other ways?
⚠️The importance of compassion.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/you-sharenting-online-parenting-tendendo-33434040

British Psychological Society

Nowadays when your child hits a milestone or receives an award, most parents' first point of call is to share the achievement on social media with a picture or two

20/02/2026

BPS Division of Educational & Child Psychology has announced a £26m investment into training more educational psychologists.

But, Dr Andrea Honess, Chair of our Division of Educational and Child Psychology says the early findings from our forthcoming research suggest that more investment will be needed to level the playing field for all across the country.

Because : https://www.bps.org.uk/news/bps-welcomes-government-investment-ep-workforce?utm_campaign=PsychMat&utm_source=OfficialBPS&utm_medium=social

20/02/2026

“In those parts of the country where there are fewer EPs, we are seeing children with SEND not having their needs met.”

Dr Helena Bunn from our BPS Division of Educational & Child Psychology features as a guest on BBC Radio 4 SEND in the spotlight SEND in the Spotlight podcast.

Listen to the episode: https://www.bps.org.uk/news/decp-features-radio-4s-send-spotlight?utm_campaign=PsychMat&utm_source=OfficialBPS&utm_medium=social

Because

07/02/2026

📚How can we best tackle children’s literacy difficulties?

💥A unique opportunity to join a FREE conference hosted by Durham University on 13th and 14th April 2026, to translate research into policy & practice.

Details & registration here: https://durhamuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4PK3aId73O3EIRw?Q_CHL=qr

British Psychological Society

10/01/2026

Joanna Stanbridge and James Wood delivering their inspiring and timely workshop on Bringing radical calm to the eye of the storm: A framework for collegiate progress in an era of polarisation.





British Psychological Society

10/01/2026

Lata Ramoutar and Anita Soni talking at their brilliant workshop- Reflecting on the Intersection of Professional and Personal Identity: Building Culturally Responsive Practice and Challenging Inequity in Educational Psychology Practice- and introducing us to a new model that supports depth of thinking and reflexivity

British Psychological Society




10/01/2026

Joanna Stanbridge and Marc Pescod delivering a fantastic workshop at the DECP conference today on Interpreting Literacy: Perspectives and Experiences of Young People Experiencing Homelessness including insights from Alice Wardman and Savannah Jerome-Solbakken’s excellent research, provoking lots of discussion about literacy for PfA and YP’s development of a sense of belonging and community

British Psychological Society

09/01/2026

An absolute joy celebrating the contribution of some outstanding EP colleagues at the awards:
💥Jo Ward and Sarah Crawford - Distinguished Contribution
💫Sue Franklin - Special Recognition for Impact and Leadership
⭐️Sandra Dunsmuir - Lifetime Achievement

British Psychological Society

09/01/2026

Dr Mel Jones’ brilliant session on the factors that influence how educational psychologists prioritise work in schools and how this might impact outcomes for children and young people.

Critical consideration for equitable approaches to service delivery.

British Psychological Society