Schools Week today published a collection of articles relating to issues in the SEND system in England and Education, Health & Care Plans. They spoke to AEP President, David Collingwood about his experience of working with EHCP plans and the serious impact of the shortage of Educational Psychologists (EPs) in Local Authorities.

Cath Lowther has stepped down as General Secretary of the AEP and is returning to direct practice as an Educational Psychologist.

With effect from October 2024, the AEP is in dispute with The States of Jersey. This unfortunate situation has arisen due to the failure of the employer to deal appropriately with matters raised by Educational Psychologists in the course of their work.

In the recent consultation, AEP members overwhelmingly voted to accept the current offer from the employers, with 85.5% voting to accept the pay offer. This decision ends the dispute with the employers, meaning that all industrial action ends. Members will not go out on strike as originally planned this Wednesday. 

I am particularly struck by the idea that the future is the creation of ‘what you do now’. Now being a word that I used within my election statement and the word I am going to bring to the fore again. Now is the time that members are invited to stand for election on our National Executive Committee (NEC). That time came for me in 2018, when I stood for a 'general member' seat.

The right to strike is ‘a fundamental one enshrined in international human rights and labour law, and its protection is necessary in ensuring just, stable and democratic societies.’