Our Service is involved in many different areas of reasearch and the following is a sample:
Research Article
The development of solution focused multi-agency meetings in a Psychological Service
This article was written by two of the educational psychologists in the Service. It outlines the development and evaluations of solution focused meetings in the Highland Council. The article can be found in Educational Psychology in Practice Vol. 26, No.3, September 2010, p239-249.
Here is a link for the article abstract. The Development of Solution Focused Multi-Agency Meetings in a Psychological Service
Research Projects
“We’re Okay Together” (WOT) Project.
A Summary of Educational Psychologists’ Involvement for WOT ( January – June 2010)
This Raigmore Primary WOT Project paper gives a summary of an intervention and research project carried out in Raigmore Primary during 2010. The EPs involved worked closely with Amanda Menzies, Chartered Teacher. The project built on the emotional literacy work which the school, under the Headship of Moira Leslie, is renowned for. The project was developed to support the needs of a Primary 2 class and made use of techniques from appreciative inquiry; solution focused brief therapy; emotional literacy social skills work and video interaction guidance. Pre and post interviews with Mrs Menzies and the children allowed for progress to be measured over time. Results were encouraging with progress made in the social skills targeted.
Video Ineraction Guidance Research within Highland
VIG is being used within our Service in the course of our general practice. As an intregal part of this intervention we ask parents/caregivers to evaluate the work done with them. For example a parent of a Primary age pupil wiith a diagnosis of autism told us:
‘I was very sceptical about how it would work, but even after the first feedback, I realised I was already learning.’
‘In the past my parenting skills had been rubbished – now I am more confident’.
These evaluations are collated and used to measure the effectiveness of the intervention.
Baby Project
In addition to using ViG in our general practice we have started a project focusing on using this approach with babies and parents. We are working in collaboration with Health Visitors who identify families who wish to take advantage of this work.
Working with infants and babies fits with national priorities for early intervention, specifically the National Outcome which aims to help our children have the best start in life and be ready to succeed.
VIG is well evidenced as an effective intervention. Barlow & Schrader-MacMillan, (2010); key findings from their review of studies conducted by the Department for children, schools and families indicates that targeted early interventions that are aimed at increasing parental sensitivity and promoting attachment are effective in preventing emotional maltreatment. They cite evidence of the effectiveness of Video Interaction Guidance in improving parental sensitivity.