Service
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
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NEPS psychologists work with both primary and post-primary schools and are concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development. Each psychologist is assigned to a group of schools.
NEPS psychologists work in partnership with teachers, parents and children in identifying educational needs. They offer a range of services aimed at meeting these needs, for example, supporting individual students (through consultation and assessment), special projects and research.
Watch our videos about the NEPS service:
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring.
Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Only in the event of a failure to make reasonable progress, in spite of the school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, will the psychologist become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention.
This process has been advised and communicated to schools in the following guidelines and resource materials:
Special Education Needs - A Continuum of Support
Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support - Guidelines for teachers - Primary Schools
The focus of the guidelines is on the process schools and teachers may use to identify and cater for the special educational needs of individual pupils in proportion to the impact of those needs on their learning and socialisation.
Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support - Resource Pack for Teachers - Primary Schools
Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties – A Continuum of Support
Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties, A Continuum of Support - Primary Schools
Guidelines for teachers
Special Education Needs - A Continuum of Support
Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support for Post Primary Schools - Guidelines for Teachers
The focus of the guidelines is on how post-primary schools may include all students in processes of learning and development
Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools Resource Pack for Teachers
Student Support File
Student Support File Template Form
This word version of the Student Support File, allows schools to insert their own logo and use and adapt the format. It offers a flexible, generic ‘Support Plan’ and ‘Support Review Record’ that can be used at all levels of support.
Student Support File Guidelines
The Student Support File allows the school to track the student’s pathway through the Continuum of Support – right from the start of the support process.
What to do if you think your child needs to be seen by a NEPS Psychologist
You need to begin by discussing your child's needs with the class teacher or school principal. Not every child needs to meet the psychologist in person. Each school makes referrals to their NEPS psychologist who helps the school to plan the work.
If your school arranges an assessment through NEPS there is no charge for this service.
You will find more information in our parents leaflet:
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Information for Parents
Information booklet for parents on the work of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
The Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA) is provided by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to help in the delivery of a psychological service to all schools.
The scheme is not a substitute for a full educational psychological service of the sort provided by NEPS. It is an interim measure intended to supplement the NEPS service and meet current urgent needs for psychological assessment of children and young people.
All SCPA assessments must be sanctioned in advance by a NEPS psychologist or by the local NEPS Regional Director. Only psychologists listed in the current SCPA panel are eligible to carry out work under the SCPA scheme. The operation of the scheme is reviewed on an ongoing basis by NEPS.
When a SCPA assessment is satisfactorily completed and the report furnished to parents and school authorities, a Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA) Certification of Completion of Assessment should be completed by the engaged psychologist and the principal of the school, and forwarded for payment to:
SCPA - Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments Administrator
Address:
National Educational Psychological Service - NEPS, Department of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 RC96
Phone number:
What to do in the event of a critical incident
NEPS provides assistance to all schools that experience critical incidents, including those that may not have an assigned NEPS psychologist.
A critical incident is a situation that overwhelms the normal coping capacity of the school. The types of critical incidents experienced by schools range from the death of a member of the school community through illness, suicide or accidental death to physical assaults or serious damage to school property.
How to request support for a critical incident
NEPS respond to critical incidents on request from affected schools. School authorities seeking support should contact their local NEPS office during working hours, Monday-Friday.
Responding to critical incidents
NEW: Responding to critical incidents: NEPS e-learning course for schools
This course is designed to support school staff in preparing for and responding to critical incidents
Critical incident templates for schools:
Sample Letter to Parents Violent Death (Template R3)
Critical incident templates for schools
Sample Letter to Parents Sudden Death Accident (Template R2)
Critical incident templates for schools
Key documents for parents:
Children's Understanding and Reaction to Death According to Age (R6)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
Stages of Grief (R7)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
How to Cope When Something Terrible Happens (R8)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
Reactions to A Critical Incident (R9)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
Ways To Help Your Child Through This Difficult Time (R12)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Head Office
Address:
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Department of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 RC96
Email:
Phone number:
