The educational psychologist as community psychologist: Holistic child psychology across home, school and community

Abstract

This paper seeks to reassert the foundation of educational psychology as community psychology. It argues that the historical continuity of the profession and its pioneering aims can only be achieved by embracing this community vision, and that there can be no future for educational psychology within the narrow boundaries of special educational needs and the servicing of bureaucratic educational functions. It asserts that the needs inspiring the ideals of community psychology are greater than they were previously but that the achievement of these ideals is further removed from the profession than ever. However, it also highlights developments within educational psychology in Britain that herald a reaffirmation of the profession as making a holistic contribution within the settings of home, school and community, and argues that it is time to combine evidence-based practice with a commitment to values in science, to pursue a meaningful and broad agenda of social and psychological welfare and to establish educational psychology as a true community psychology.