Ruth Birnbaum
BA Hons, MSc, PGCE, C.Psychol, AFBPsS
My career as an educational psychologist began in the days when one had to first qualify as a class teacher, so I have seen schools from every perspective, first as a parent, then as a teacher and now as an Educational Psychologist.
Using a range of assessment tools, both standardised and dynamic, the potential of an individual can be explored. Sometimes one needs small steps to demonstrate progress but at other times it is necessary to take great leaps to bridge a gulf. The Educational Psychologist has to have the experience and confidence to inspire trust from the child and other clients to demonstrate what can be achieved.
Looking back over my 31years as an Educational Psychologist, I can honestly say I enjoy the challenges that I meet and continue to learn from every child I assess. Every person is unique. As educators and parents/carers we must constantly search for the clues which can unblock potential and move barriers to learning as much or as little as we can.
My career as an educational psychologist began in the days when one had to first qualify as a class teacher, so I have seen schools from every perspective, first as a parent, then as a teacher and now as an Educational Psychologist.
Using a range of assessment tools, both standardised and dynamic, the potential of an individual can be explored. Sometimes one needs small steps to demonstrate progress but at other times it is necessary to take great leaps to bridge a gulf. The Educational Psychologist has to have the experience and confidence to inspire trust from the child and other clients to demonstrate what can be achieved.
Looking back over my 31years as an Educational Psychologist, I can honestly say I enjoy the challenges that I meet and continue to learn from every child I assess. Every person is unique. As educators and parents/carers we must constantly search for the clues which can unblock potential and move barriers to learning as much or as little as we can.
Education
- BA (Hons) Social Psychology –University of Sussex
- PGCE – University of London
- MSc Educational Psychology – University College, London
- Practitioner Certificate in Dynamic Assessment –Graduate School of Education & Psychology of Touro College (New York) and the Binoh Centre (London) – 1995 & 1997
- Certificate of Competence in Psychological Practice 16-25 (BPS Approved 2014)
Work
- Extensive work within the legal sector as an Expert Witness in Tribunal & High Court proceedings, including working as a single joint expert in the Family Court.
- Consultant to a Special Needs Unit for young people with a wide range of complex needs within a mainstream
secondary school. - Delivering post-professional training in educational psychology & special educational needs for Local
Authorities, universities, schools, & organisations. - Peer Supervisor of three Educational Psychologists. Recipient of peer supervision from a highly specialist Educational Psychologist & a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
- Regular meetings with other professionals to undertake Continuing Professional Development
- Extensive networking with Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Paediatricians, Child& Adolescent Psychiatrists, Social Care Workers and other multi-disciplinary team members
- Regular consultations with solicitors & barristers in the context of legal work.
Earlier Work
- Senior Educational Psychologist & Principal Educational Psychologist in a voluntary childcare organisation with 1,000 employees – 1985 – 1998
- Employed by Dyslexia Association as a Specialist Assessor
- Educational Psychologist in a school for the hearing impaired
- Employment in three different Local Authorities as an Educational Psychologist
- Teacher across primary ranges in a mainstream school
- Teaching on the Masters Degree in educational psychology at The Tavistock Centre (London)
- Guest Psychologist on a popular television show to discuss the topic of bullying with audience participation
voluntary work
- 15 years as the Honorary Educational Psychologist to the Twins and Multiple Birth Association of Great Britain
- 14 years on the governing body of a Family Centre
- Member of London Borough of Harrow’s Education Admissions Appeals Panel
- Lay Member (expert in SEN) of London Borough of Harrow’s Education Exclusions Appeals Panel
- Sounding Board for various school SENCos
professional memberships and registrations
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Associate Fellow of the British Psychology Society
- Division of Educational and Child Psychologists
- Association of Educational Psychologists
- Information Commissioner’s Office registered Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 1998
- Enhanced Disclosure Criminal Records Bureau Check and ISA Adult First Check
- Register of Qualifications in Test Use
- Member of the Expert Witness Institute since 2003
- Member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses
- Steering Committee Member of the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice
- Eligible Provider of Psychological Services under Private Health Insurance
examples of further training in recent years
- Legal update course on expert evidence (Bond Solon)
- Deaf children and inclusion
- Developmental co-ordination disorder/ Dyspraxia
- Extreme behaviours within Autistic spectrum disorder
- TEACCH
- PECS
- Makaton (level 2)
- Competence in Psychological Practice 16-25 years