The Educational Psychology Service in Dorset are no longer offering bookable phone consultations. However, if you have concerns about your child, please talk to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) at their school, who will work with you to provide support.

If the SENDCO feels that support from an external agency is required, they will contact the appropriate service, which may include the Educational Psychology Service. 

If your child is not in a setting you may find it helpful to contact the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service for parents/carers of children and young people with SEND (SENDIASS).

Educational psychologists work with children and young people

Parents and carers

You should talk to your child’s class teacher or tutor in the first instance. Or talk to the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child's school. If your child's needs are complex, the SENCO can talk to you about the possibility of involving an EP. Educational Psychologists work with the SENCO in schools following the graduated approach.

Schools to provide support:

  • at a universal (available to all) level
  • at a targeted level (available for some for a limited time) before involving an EP

Talk to the school's SENCO if:

  • your child has complex needs
  • may need intervention and support from an educational psychologist

If your child is in an early years setting, the setting SENCO will work with the early years advisor. They will talk to the locality senior educational psychologist.

If your child's needs are complex, the SENCO can talk to you about the possibility of involving an EP. 

Independent schools, local authority schools or academies from another area and other organisations

Contact one of our senior educational psychologists, or our main line for an appointment:

Contact the Dorset Educational Psychology Service

Name: Miriam Leigh
Tel: 01305 228320
Full contact details

Senior educational psychologist for Chesil

Name: Rachel Meyrick
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01305 221763
Full contact details

Senior educational psychologist for Dorchester and West localities

Name: Esther Gardner
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01305 224355
Full contact details

Senior Educational Psychologist for East Dorset

Name: Fiona Okai
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01305 225483
Full contact details

Senior educational psychologist for North Dorset

Name: Clare Anderson
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01305 224354
Full contact details

Senior educational psychologist for Purbeck

Name: Anna Ridley
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01305 225488
Full contact details