News & Activity

Following the recent close of nominations, Donna Wiggett has been elected General Secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP). Donna currently works as a Senior Educational Psychologist in the Education Authority, Northern Ireland - and brings significant experience to the role. She will take up the role over the coming months.

On Tuesday 29 April, the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) will appear before the House of Commons Education Select Committee as part of its inquiry into solving the SEND crisis in England. This follows our written submission earlier this year and marks an important opportunity for us to speak directly to policymakers about the systemic issues affecting educational psychologists, schools, and families.

We are looking to appoint an editor for our peer-reviewed journal, Educational Psychology in Practice! The Editor is responsible for producing a journal of the highest quality and leading the Editorial Board. Becoming the editor of a journal is a rewarding and fulfilling experience, offering the opportunity to build networks, develop and promote the research in educational psychology, and be recognised as a leading figure within the academic community.

The curriculum and assessment review interim report was published on Tuesday 18 March. Its findings revealed the the current system is 'not delivering for every child' as it sets out its next phase of work. The AEP urges the government to use the final report to deliver bold recommendations that put SEND support at the heart of curriculum and assessment reform in the UK to ensure every student receives the support they need to thrive.

Schools Week today published a collection of articles relating to issues in the SEND system in England and Education, Health & Care Plans. They spoke to AEP President, David Collingwood about his experience of working with EHCP plans and the serious impact of the shortage of Educational Psychologists (EPs) in Local Authorities.

Audit Scotland has published a new report on Additional Support for Learning. The report raises concerns about the widening attainment gap in education, inconsistent data collection, and shortages in staff and resources affecting both pupils and education staff.

In February 2025, after careful consideration from all three Soulbury unions, the Officers' Side reluctantly accepted the 2024 pay offer. The unions put on record their huge disappointment at this outcome, which represents yet another real terms pay cut and another significant worsening of Soulbury pay relative to teachers. The AEP National Executive Committee noted their reluctance to accept and expresses its disappointment at the Employers Side ‘final’ offer, which does not address the real terms decrease in Educational Psychologists’ pay over several years. 

Following a recent announcement in the Assembly, Education Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Givan has today published the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Reform Agenda and five-year Delivery Plan.

Following the close of nominations on 12th December 2024, we received two eligible nominations were received for the post of Newly-Qualified Member on the AEP National Executive Committee.

The UK parliament's Public Accounts Committee has today released its report ‘Support for children and young people with special educational needs’ highlighting significant challenges in the current SEND system, describing it as at ‘crisis point’, and provided key recommendations for improvement.

With effect from October 2024, the AEP is in dispute with The States of Jersey. This unfortunate situation has arisen due to the failure of the employer to deal appropriately with matters raised by Educational Psychologists in the course of their work.