The Highland Psychological Service is a dynamic and innovative team and we are involved in many research and development projects.
Projects include:
REsiLient Kids
This is a course for children around the primary three stage developed by the Psychological Service for use in schools to help children become happier, more confident, more included and more relaxed, with better peer relationships and awareness of and ability to manage feelings. More information and training dates are available by clicking this link to REsiLient Kids
Vision For Transition
'A Vision for Transition’ is an authority-wide, multi-agency project. The aim of the project is to improve the transition process for all young people, with a focus on those with additional support needs and those at risk of not moving on to a positive post school destination. This project produced a number of documents which can be found by clicking the link to Vision For Transition
STORY Saacks
The Pre-School Home Visiting Teaching Service developed STORY saacks. Each STORY Saack contains a selection of stories and resources, tailored to the child's interest and aiming to make books more interesting and develop language skills. link to STORY Saacks
Video Interaction Guidance
VIG is a technique that aims to improve communication and relationships for participants. It involves participants viewing and dicussing very short recordings of their successful interactions with a Video Interaction Guider. link to more information on VIG
The new book on Video Interaction Guidance can be ordered here . This is the first book of its kind in the U.K. and gives a comprehensive look at VIG and all its applications. Heather Sked, educational psychologist from Highland is one of the contributors to the book.
My Map
The Psychological Service has collaborated in the development of a child centred process which is adapted from Person Centred Planning to loosely follow the format of solution focussed planning meetings It attempts to make a child or young person feel more included in his or her meeting. More information can be found by clicking this link to MY Map
Kirkhill Primary School Pilots ‘Being Cool in School’
Kirkhill Primary School is the first school in Highland to pilot the Being Cool in School programme.
Kirkhill are running the infant programme which is targeted at primaries one and two. The programme focuses on key personal social skills relevant to pro-social behaviour, good citizenship, emotional literacy, mental health and wellbeing. Other programmes are coming on stream for mid-primary, upper primary and early secondary. Angela McKay, primary two teacher is taking the pilot forward, which is being evaluated by Carrie Yavuz, link Educational Psychologist for Kirkhill.