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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 550 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 10 August 2022 by Mr P.J. Rundle

Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

For the financial years 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 please detail:
(a) The total number of school psychologists (FTE), broken down by region including the metropolitan region; and
(b) The total number of school children on the waitlist for school psychologists, broken down by region for:
(i) assessments; and
(ii) clinical counselling?

Answered on 20 September 2022

Answer

 

(a)     The total number of school psychologists (FTE) by Education region: 

 

FTE

 Region

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

Goldfields

                 13.9

                 13.9

                 14.0

Kimberley

                 12.8

                 13.5

                 13.6

Midwest

                 11.0

                 12.0

                 11.9

North Metropolitan

               107.7

               112.2

               116.5

Pilbara

                 15.3

                 15.2

                 17.3

South Metropolitan

               116.2

               121.6

               133.2

Southwest

                 32.1

                 32.0

                 32.7

Wheatbelt

                 11.6

                 11.5

                 12.3

Central Office / Statewide Services Centre (1)

                 40.5

                 38.5

                 38.1

(1) Includes staff located in the Schools of Special Educational Needs, School of Alternative Learning Settings and Central Office. School Psychologists located in central office or the Statewide Services Centre provide additional support to schools to respond to critical incidents and complex cases.

 

(b)     The School Psychology Service does not operate waitlists. 

School psychologists work with and through school staff and school processes to deliver their services.  These services include implementation of whole-school mental health and wellbeing frameworks, advice for teachers and other members of the school community to understand and effectively respond to behavioural and mental health issues, and direct individual student support such as behavioural assessments and counselling when the need arises.  The concept of “waitlists” does not apply to this model of service.

School psychologists will be aware of requests for psychological support for individual students at their school/s which they need to prioritise and action. This occurs in consultation with the school and within the context of the school service plan and identified priorities. Schools continue to support the needs of these students while this is occurring.