Paul Bingham, Chartered Psychologist

I am an Independent Chartered Psychologist and a consultant with Nigel Blagg Associates. My qualifications include a B.Sc. Joint Honours Degree in Psychology and Biology (University of Leicester ), a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (University of Leicester,) a Masters Degree in The Psychology of Education (University of Leicester School of Education) and a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology (University of Birmingham ).

I have been a long standing member of the British Psychological Society and was a member of its’ Standing Committee for Continuing Professional Development. I am a member of the Association of Educational Psychologists and represented colleagues as a Local Representative for Northamptonshire. I am also a Chartered Scientist and a member of the Association of Chartered Psychologists in Private Practice.

I am a fully qualified, registered test user with Pearson Assessment and Psychological Assessment Resources (USA) and use a wide ranging portfolio of psychometric tests and clinical procedures assessing intelligence, personality, emotionality and psychopathology in both children and adults. I regularly attend training courses and conferences to keep abreast of developments in my work as an applied psychologist and deliver training courses to other professional groups as part of their continuing professional development.

I have over 16 years educational and clinical experience working as a psychologist  in multi-professional settings, with adults, children, families, support services and private organisations in five Local Authorities (Hereford & Worcestershire, City of Birmingham, Leicester, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire). Prior to me retraining as an Educational Psychologist I spent many years lecturing in Psychology in both Further and Higher Education and spent many happy years lecturing with the Open University. I also spent several years in Educational Management as Dean of Students at an Institute of Further & Higher Education.

I have specialist expertise in assessing child development and functioning, ranging from psychometric assessment of cognitive functioning and learning difficulties, to diagnosing developmental disorders, to working with education and Social Services in supporting children and young people who are Adopted or in Public Care.

I also have experience in assessing and working with children where there are child protection concerns and as Consultant of Nigel Blagg Associates I act as an Expert Witness in Family Court Cases.

 I provide Continuing Professional Development training for Alliance Foster Care and contribute to the Cambridge Partnership Graduate Teacher Programme.

I have specialist experience working with children and families with emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties, as well as working with parents and carers to help them improve family functioning and offering consultation on complex cases to other professionals.

 I am currently acting as a Consultant for Thornby Hall, part of the Childcare First organisation of Specialist Children's Homes and an Educational Consultant for the Pillars of Parenting Authentic Warmth Enterprise managed by Dr Sean Cameron & Colin Maginn of University College London

My current specialist interests involve advising parents/carers, early years professionals, social workers and teachers in the assessment, management and support of young children and adolescents who experience cognitive, emotional and social difficulties (at school and in the wider community) as a consequence of early traumatic experiences resulting in attachment and executive functioning difficulties.

I have extensive experience as a Trainer to deliver Assertive Discipline to schools and to train others and deliver the ‘Friends’ programme. I have received training in Personal Construct Psychology; Brief Solution Focused Therapy and the Principles and Practice of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

I have carried out  Expert Witness work with Law Practices in Barnsley, South Wales, Bournemouth, Wolverhampton and Milton Keynes and been commissioned to carry out psychological assessments for Zurich Insurance and most recently Atos Healthcare.

Within the context of Family Proceedings and Private Law disputes I specialize in instructions relating to the assessment of:

· Parenting ability, adult learning disability, personality and mental health

· Impact of the above and childhood experiences on parenting ability

· Harm suffered by children or risk of future harm with respect to neglect

· The nature of a child’s attachment relationships and sibling relationships

· Therapeutic and support needs of children

· Placement needs of children following a Care Order, including whether siblings should be placed  together or separately and the nature and extent of contact with the birth family