§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system for the provision of funding for the training of educational psychologists; and if he will increase the number of funded placements to over 124 placements per year; [108171]
(2) if the Government will provide additional funds for the training of educational psychologists in addition to the top-slice funding in time for the September intake; and if he will make a statement. [108172]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisFunding for postgraduate training of those wishing to become educational psychologists is currently provided via the Educational Psychology Clearing House and Grant Scheme, using funding drawn from within the top-sliced Rate Support Grant provision, allocated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in accordance with recommendations of the Local Government Association. The Grant Scheme is administered by the Employers' Organisation on behalf of the Local Government Association.
The Department is facilitating on-going discussions with a range of partners, including the LGA and Employers' Organisation, on developing a new shorter entry training route for educational psychologists. We have commissioned an implementation study which has been looking at issues such as the operation of existing arrangements, future funding arrangements and the number of places to be supported for the foreseeable future.