2000 Children on Waiting List for Educational Psychology Services in Northern Ireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12596279?print=true

28 February 2011

More than 2,000 children in Northern Ireland are on waiting lists to see an educational psychologist, it has been revealed. 

Figures for the last academic year show that 11,000 pupils in primary and post-primary schools have been getting help.

The data was revealed in response to a question by Ken Robinson of the Ulster Unionist party.

Of the five boards, the south-eastern had given education psychology help to the largest number of children.

Four and a half thousand were seen in that board area, more than double the number seen in the other boards in the 2009/10 academic year.

The north-eastern board had the longest waiting list at 666.

Ken Robinson said he was concerned that there were too few psychologists. He said it was important for children in need to get professional help "as early as possible".