- 1. Overview of NEPS service
- 2. Information for Parents
- 3. Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA)
- 4. Critical Incidents
- 5. NEPS Resources
- 6. NEPS Contacts
- 7. Wellbeing supports for students from the Ukraine
- 8. Wellbeing Supports – schools, parents and students
- 9. Wellbeing and School Self Evaluation
- 10. Counselling in Primary Schools-Pilot (CPS-P) 2023-2025
Overview of NEPS service
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is the psychological service of the Department of Education and provides educational psychological support to primary, post-primary and special schools in Ireland.
Each psychologist is assigned to a group of schools. The NEPS Model of Service includes a Casework Service for individual children and young people and a Support & Development Service for school staff.
The focus of the NEPS Casework Service is to use a consultative, problem-solving approach to promote better understanding of the child or young person’s strengths and needs, to suggest interventions that may be helpful to include in the Student Support Plan, and to assist schools to implement, monitor and review those interventions. This work is done in partnership with school staff, parents and the child or young person themselves.
The focus of the NEPS Support & Development Service is to help enhance school systems, to maximise a whole-school approach to creating school environments that are inclusive, flexible and responsive to the needs of all and to build school capability to provide evidence-informed prevention and early intervention support as part of the Continuum of Support framework. This work also includes supporting schools to respond to Critical Incidents.
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The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. NEPS encourages schools to implement a Continuum of Support with each school taking responsibility for providing universal and preventative approaches, as well as early assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with need. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they wish to at this stage in the process.
A child or young person who has not made reasonable progress following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, may be prioritised for access to the NEPS casework service by the school. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
This process has been advised and communicated to schools in the following guidelines and resource materials:
Information for Primary Schools
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.
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Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support - Resource Pack for Teachers - Primary Schools
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Behavioural Emotional and Social Difficulties – A Continuum of Support
Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties, A Continuum of Support - Primary Schools
Guidelines for teachers
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Information for Post-primary Schools
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 allstudents in processes of learning and development
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Special Educational Needs A Continuum of Support for Post-Primary Schools Resource Pack for Teachers
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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.
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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.
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Information for Parents
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)
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Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA)
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
Email:
scpa@education.gov.ie
SCPA Guidelines and Relevant Documents
Certificate of Completion of Assessment 2023/24
Form 3
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Critical Incidents
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
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Responding to Critical Incidents
NEPS Guidelines and resource materials for schools
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Critical incident templates for schools:
Management Policy Template R19, 20 21
Critical incident templates for schools
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Sample Media Announcement (Template R4)
Critical incident templates for schools
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Sample Letter to Parents Violent Death (Template R3)
Critical incident templates for schools
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Sample Letter to Parents Sudden Death Accident (Template R2)
Critical incident templates for schools
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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
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Stages of Grief (R7)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
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How to Cope When Something Terrible Happens (R8)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
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Reactions to A Critical Incident (R9)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
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Ways To Help Your Child Through This Difficult Time (R12)
Responding to Critical Incidents - NEPS Guidelines and Resource Materials for Schools
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Critical Incident Preparation and Planning
Critical Incident Preparation and Planning - Slides for Sharing at Staff Meeting
NEPS Resources
- National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Resources and Publications
- National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Guidelines, Tips and Handouts for Parents and Teachers
NEPS Contacts
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Head Office
Address:
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Department of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 RC96
Email:
neps@education.gov.ie
Phone number:
(01) 8892700
NEPS Regional Contacts
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)
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Wellbeing supports for students from the Ukraine
Information for schools – Ukraine
Wellbeing Supports – schools, parents and students
Wellbeing in Education
Wellbeing and School Self Evaluation
SSE Six Step Process
Counselling in Primary Schools-Pilot (CPS-P) 2023-2025
Counselling in Primary Schools-Pilot (CPS-P) 2023-2025
