​Educational-psychology services in Scotland are having a “significant impact” on the early identification and prevention of mental health difficulties.

The backing for the profession came in a new report, which follows growing concerns in recent years about the vulnerability of educational psychology services to local budget cuts, as well as reductions in training places.

A review of the quality and impact of educational-psychology services in 31 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities was carried out by Education Scotland inspectors between 2015 and 2018.

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The report, Educational Psychology Services in Scotland: Making a difference to excellence and equity for all, finds an increasing number of services are offering specialist therapeutic interventions, while also offering enhanced training and policy advice to schools and local authorities.

“The quality and expertise of [educational psychologists], in the area of mental health and wellbeing has increased and improved substantially,” the report states.

Chief Inspector of education Gayle Gorman said it was “commendable” that educational-psychology services were supporting the implementation of Scotland’s “Getting it right for every child” policy at individual child, school and local authority level.

She added that it was “wonderful to see educational psychologists providing services that are fulfilling a real need across Scotland”, adding: “By working with other agencies and families, they are helping to build capacity in communities and improving outcomes for children and young people.”

Strategic director of scrutiny Janie McManus said: “Supporting mental health and wellbeing is often perceived as critical to improving the poverty-related attainment gap. So I’m pleased to see the evidence in the review that educational psychologists are helping to overcome inequality in attainment and achievement in our most vulnerable children and young people.

“While evidence shows they made a large impact in supporting children’s attainment in literacy, numeracy, and health and wellbeing, I must emphasise that that there is always more progress to be made.”

The report finds, for example, that educational psychologists could “work together better to share effective practice and create new ways of working to improve” the attainment gap between the most- and least-deprived students.