Educational psychologist honoured

An educational psychologist at Enfield London Borough Council has been awarded an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours List. Suzy Francis, Principal Educational Psychologist and Strategic Lead for Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing, was recognised for her services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

She said she was honoured to be named in the list but was even more delighted that the profession of educational psychology had been recognised. 'We are a small profession with considerable reach. In the current challenging context of increased emotional and mental health needs experienced by our children and young people, it is humbling to know that the work of educational psychology has been experienced as psychological, thoughtful, and impactful.'

Suzy started her working life as a hairdresser – having been a relatively shy child who never saw herself as academic. At age 20 she re-engaged in education and retook her GCSE in English. Encouraged by her English teacher she realised she could do more academically and took an access course at a local further education college.

During her undergraduate degree at Plymouth University Suzy undertook a work placement at a special school and became interested in the ways schools make a difference to children. She later completed a PGCE at Homerton College, Cambridge University and, after teaching at a primary school, an MSc in Educational Psychology at the University of Essex/Tavistock Clinic.

'I joined Enfield Educational Psychology Service in 2000. I felt immediately at home with kind and supportive colleagues – their experience and wisdom was inspirational. At the heart of it all was a collective commitment to do our best for children through our relationships with schools and partners. This ethos and culture have very much remained.'

In her current role Suzy said she works with an exceptional leadership team, educational psychologists and trainee educational psychologists and works to encourage the next generation of educational psychologists. Her current role involves supporting partnerships in relation to children with special educational needs and disabilities, autism and emotional wellbeing and mental health.

'This involves looking for opportunities to align the work we do strategically so that we have a shared vision and approach. For example, promoting a needs-led (rather than diagnosis-led) and trauma-informed approach are both reflected through the SEND Partnership Strategy and our developing Autism Strategy. These principles are then threaded through and operationalised in the work of the services and local area.'

Read about Suzy Francis' work and career.