EP Reach-Out webinar – *Book Launch* Psychology for Teaching Assistants (3rd edition) with the authors

The roles for teaching assistants have developed over the last 20 years. Whilst TAs are still widely used in supporting children with additional needs there is specific training in, say emotional learning support assistants (ELSAs). Often TAs are asked to support some of the most difficult and challenging children and young people, but with little or no training and quite variable amounts of support.

Psychology for Teaching Assistants is a book which is intended to fill a gap for TAs and SENCos. It focuses on the knowledge that TAs may need in their roles. It was first published 20 years ago and a second edition appeared in 2011. This new edition goes further than the previous 2 volumes and includes information about ELSAs and working with neurodiverse students, in particular those with diagnoses of some kinds of Autism Spectrum Condition. This is in addition to the information about attachment theory, language development, disaffected teenagers, group processes and the effects of abuse on children. There is also a section on how institutions can unconsciously convey messages to undermine the status of TAs.

The original book was well reviewed by EPs and TAs alike. There was also a comment that it helped in the initial training of teachers.

The launch, kindly hosted by Educational Psychology Reach-Out will include the contributors talking about their own experiences. We hope that all schools that use TAs will place a copy of this on their staffroom shelves.