§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many educational psychologist training scheme places were available in each of the last five years; and how many were taken up; [104420]
(2) how many qualified educational psychologists there were in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which the need for qualified educational psychologists has been met in each of the last five years. [104421]
374W
§ Mr. Ivan LewisIn formation on the number of places available under the grant scheme for the training of educational psychologists, and the take-up of such places, is not collected centrally.
The latest available information on the number of qualified educational psychologists employed by local education authorities in England is given in the following table:
EPs (full-time equivalent) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 In Post 1,729.1 1,817.5 1,866.2 1,883.9 1,944.8 On secondment 59.0 49.0 62.5 70.5 74.9 Total 1,788.1 1,866.5 1,928.7 1,954.4 2,019.7 Decisions on the recruitment, retention and deployment of educational psychologists are matters for LEAs, as employers, to determine in light of local circumstances and available resources.
The Department is facilitating on-going discussions involving a range of partners, including representatives of the Local Government Association, on developing a new shorter entry training route for educational psychologists. It has been agreed that, subject to the outcome of an implementation study, and the necessary funding being secured, the partners will work towards an implementation date for the new arrangements of September 2005.