Page 2060 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2022
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(5) All ACT public schools have access to a psychologist. At any time, school psychologist vacancies, either anticipated or unforeseen, can arise due to staffing changes. Recruitment to cover vacancies is undertaken regularly to minimise disruption to services in schools.
(6) The number of days a school psychologist is allocated to a school varies and is not solely determined by the sector. In addition to primary schools, school psychologists are also allocated to early childhood schools, specialist schools and centralised teams. High schools will have between 2 – 4 days per week of psychology allocation and the majority of colleges 3 – 5 days per week.
(7) School psychologists can provide direct support or interventions to students, consult with teachers and families, or work alongside other members of the student services team (school youth health nurse, school social worker, youth worker) to assist students to thrive in their school environment. School psychologists may also work with the school executive team on school-wide practices and procedures, as well as collaborate with community providers to co-ordinate services for students. The key aspects of a psychologist’s work in schools include the following:
• Undertake psychological evaluations, including individual student cognitive assessments
• Assist with Individual Learning Plans
• Provide psychological intervention individually or in groups. This may include a referral to a community provider for long term support
• Facilitate workshops and training for parents or teachers
• Act as a liaison to community services (paediatricians, allied health professionals) to provide information on a student’s progress or to obtain additional information for evaluations.
• Offer grief counselling in the event of a tragedy affecting the school community
The responsibilities of this professional group may vary from school to school and may even change periodically based on student/staff needs.
(8) School psychologists do not submit reports regarding their work.
(9) There has been a significant investment by the ACT Government in increasing the psychology work force in schools.
• The 2016-17 election commitment was to increase 20.0 FTE of psychologists in schools incrementally over 4 years. This was successfully achieved.
• In 2019-2020 four temporary positions (4.0 FTE) and one (1.0 FTE) administrative officer received ongoing funding.
• In 2022 there was an investment of a temporary increase of two (2.0 FTE) psychology positions to assist with the increased need for mental health supports resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(10) Each school psychologist triages referrals based on the individual needs of the student and circumstances. The wait time to see a school psychologist, therefore, varies from school to school.
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