An exploration of the current working relationship between the educational psychologist and the young offender in England

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the current working relationship between the Educational Psychologist and the Young Offender in England. It aimed to identify the work EPs have done with YOs in the previous year and to explore the Educational Psychologist’s perceptions of the characteristics they perceive as necessary for a successful relationship with a young offender. A mixed methods approach was applied whereby both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. Online questionnaires were sent to all Principal Educational Psychologists in England with the intention of the questionnaire being passed on to all Educational Psychologists within their local education authority. 47 Educational Psychologists took part in the quantitative stage, with 21 participants that were able to complete the questionnaire having worked with young offenders in the previous year. The qualitative data was collected through interviews from a sample of 8 participants. The findings suggest that the majority of Educational Psychologists’ work is commissioned by schools and Youth Offending Teams requesting support for young offenders with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, to increase engagement, attendance, to assess their levels of need and to decrease reoffending. The participants reported that the most commonly used approach was that of solution focused. Looking at the characteristics that are necessary for a successful relationship between the Educational Psychologist and the young offender, using thematic analysis, 4 overarching themes emerged specific to the young offender and 9 specific to the Educational Psychologist. In conclusion this study achieved both its aims of conducting a survey to explore what a number of educational psychologists have done with young offenders over the previous year and to identify characteristics that the Educational Psychologists perceived to be necessary for a successful relationship with a young offender.