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Understanding the Profession of Educational Psychology in England: Now and in the Future

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2013

Brahm Norwich
Brahm Norwich*
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Education, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
*
Address for correspondence: Brahm Norwich, College of Social Sciences & International Studies, St Luke's, St Luke's Campus, United Kingdom, Devon UK EX4 4SB. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This article analyses current and future issues about the distinctive contribution of professional educational psychologists in a changing English service context. This is about the context of greater inter-professional and multi-agency working, but also the moves towards more quasi-market systems of service delivery. I examine the identity and service focus dilemmas that educational psychologists have to address. This raises questions about the distinction between basic and applied psychology, the nature of applying psychology and whether applying psychology requires professional educational psychologists. One of the main arguments is that how we think about applying psychology is crucial for the future in a changing context. The task is for professional psychologists to be innovative in service terms to ensure a continuing and valued position in the service network. The significance of this analysis of educational psychology in an English context for other countries is also discussed.

Keywords

professional educational psychologybasic and applied psychologyinter-professional workingmarket systemsdilemmasfuture scenarios
Type
Articles
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 30 , Issue 1: Educational Psychology: Looking to the Future , July 2013 , pp. 36 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society Ltd 2013 

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