Will you go back to it do you think? Not sure. It was enormously interesting initially, but after 5 years had become less interesting simply because I'd see the same kind of problems over and over again. (But I do have a very low boredom threshold.) Also, the training and registering of EPs has changed since I've been a SAHM and I'm not sure if I could go be employed any more.
How family friendly is it? I would imagine it's pretty family friendly. (I wasn't that focused on these kinds of issues when I worked because I didn't have kids then.) A lot of my colleagues worked part time, most were women, and it's the kind of job where it should be possible to work a couple of days a week.
Is it usually fixed hours or flexitime? Where I worked there were fixed hours, but I had control of my own diary and planned my own visits to school so it was possible to be flexible to fit in things like doctors visits etc. However, a visit was usually 3 hours, so that meant either a full morning or a full afternoon.
Is it very busy in term time and less so out of it? Yes, it's very busy in term time and much less so out of it.
How does it compare to being a teacher, did you prefer being an EP (I know they're completely different roles, just wondering how they compare.) I liked elements of both. I loved teaching but was primarily interested in why and how children learn as opposed to the personalities of the children. Being an EP let me really get to grips with the psychology of learning. It was fascinating and I wish I'd known lots of the information I learned on my training course when I was teaching. However, after 5 years it was quite repetitive - lots of referrals for kids who wouldn't sit still on the carpet for example! This was 13 years ago mind, and where I worked we did a lot of early intervention instead of just statementing. Statementing work was mainly very dull. In some local authorities EPs are caught up in mainly just providing reports for statements - avoid these authorities if you want to preserve your sanity.
What made you apply? See above.
Did you enjoy your job? Yes, mainly. I liked unpicking problems to identify why children were having difficulties and then trying to come up with solutions that might make a difference. There were stresses and often if felt like what I did made absolutely no difference whatsoever. I think schools often needed enormously more support than the EP service was able to offer before they could realisticly implement solutions.
What's a normal week like? Five three hour visits to schools. In a visit I might discuss up to 4 kids who were having problems, or I might do a more in depth assessment of just one. This would involve discussing issues with class teachers / TAs, observing kid in class, working individually with kid and meeting parents. This would all need to be written up so lots and lots of time writing reports. Or I might give an INSET on e.g. behaviour management, teaching reading, developing concentration etc. I might also have a meeting about something (e.g. helping to run a group for parents of kids with downs syndrome, team meeting etc). Lots and lots of driving around. Lunch in the car.
Is it difficult to get work at the end of the training. I didn't have a problem getting a job but this was 12 years ago so things might be very different now. I'm completely out the loop I'm afraid.