Educational Psychology Telephone Consultation Service


Updated: 31st August 2022


Children smiling at school

West Sussex Educational Psychology Service is offering the opportunity for parents to speak with an Educational Psychologist about a child or young person.

Educational Psychologists are professionals concerned with the development, learning and social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Calls can be requested where there is a question or concern about learning or behaviour as well as worries about wellbeing and emotions.

If you are seeking advice regarding an Education Health Care Needs Assessment or changes to your child’s Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) please refer to the guidance on the Local Offer website, or seek advice from your child's Planning Coordinator (if they have an EHCP) by contacting the SEN Assessment Team. Alternatively if you would like information, advice and support with thinking through your options and what to do next then contact the SENDIAS Service.

If you have significant concerns about a child or young person and they require crisis support. Please call the 24 hour Sussex Mental Healthline (24/7) : 0300 5000 101 or Hopeline :08000684141.

This is a consultation only service and the Educational Psychologist will not be able to read any information about the young person prior or after the consultation. The EP will not undertake any follow up work, assessments or ask others to do assessments as a result of the consultation.

Do not provide any confidential information, if you do not wish to. These phone calls will not be recorded. However, if any safeguarding issues arise, they will have to be passed on to the appropriate parties.

Parents and carers who live in West Sussex should book a consultation slot and an Educational Psychologist will contact them on the telephone number provided at the time booked. Calls will last a maximum of 30 minutes.

Please note that bookings for telephone consultations close 3 working days before the event, if you have encounter any difficulties whilst trying to book a slot there is a guidance document at the bottom of this page.

What you can expect from the consultation:

  • The EP acts as the 'consultant' and the third party is referred to as the 'consultee'.
  • Each bookable slot is for up to 30 minutes.
  • All parties will respect confidentiality.

The phone consultation sessions are open to all parents whose children live in West Sussex.


This was without doubt the best conversation I have had with anyone in the last two years over the ongoing issues with my daughter. I felt listened to (I have spoken with quite a number of professionals who have already decided what you should do and what the problem is without actually listening) and not rushed, and completely understood. The resources were incredibly valuable and I had not been signposted to them previously. The lady I spoke to was amazing doing fantastic work in difficult circumstances. We are implementing the strategies and advice suggested and hope to see some improvements. Thank you so much for providing this service to families in crisis


The normal structure of a telephone consultation will consist of:

Beginning - Introductions and establish aim of the consultation, such as what the person wants out of the consultation.
Information-gathering - The consultant will use a range of questions and techniques to gather information about the concern.
Exploring the issues - The consultant will guide the consultee’s thinking about their concerns.
Ending - A summary of the consultation will take place during which any actions resulting from the consultation will be discussed.


Please note that you will be unable to book an appointment if you are using the Internet explorer 11 browser as it is no longer supported. We recommend that you use one of the following:

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    New bookable slots for the academic year will be available from the end of August

    Book a telephone consultation slot

    Read guidance on the booking system