A possible method for operationalising the British Psychological Society Division of Educational and Child Psychology quality standards:A case study in one Educational Psychology Service and an evaluation

Abstract

AbstractIn June 1999, the principal educational psychologist of one London service invited two trainee educational psychologists to ‘inspect’ the service using the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Educational and Child Psychology quality standards for educational psychology services. In order to do this, a rating scale was devised, using the BPS framework, and three judgement categories: fully met, partially met and not met. Studies of service documentation and a questionnaire to a small number of staff followed. Finally, the service was rated in respect of each BPS standard, namely: guidelines for professional practice; induction; continuing professional development; supervision of educational psychologists in training; appraisal – performance review; supervision of educational psychologists. Areas of strength, weaknesses and further development were identified, which proved to be very helpful indeed to the service in preparing for an OFSTED inspection. The BPS standards do appear to be capable of being operationalised realistically into a system which services could use for self-evaluation.