Social skill interventions are utilised by educational psychologists (EPs) to promote positive social behaviour amongst pupils. These have predominantly occurred for target populations, rather than at the whole-class level. Research into evidence-based, whole-class interventions for social skill development is warranted. The Good Behaviour Game…

The mental health of children and young people is of increasing concern both to educational psychology and to the Government's priorities throughout the UK. This paper reports the results of a survey of Scottish educational psychology services regarding views and information about meeting the mental health needs of school children. Services…

West Syndrome is a severe, early-onset epilepsy syndrome, with significant implications for subsequent neurological and cognitive development. While most children with a prior diagnosis of West Syndrome initially follow a normal developmental trajectory, there is evidence of subsequent emergence of clusters of difficulties, including autism…

Considering the prevalence of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and the known association with poor academic performance and social, emotional and mental health, it is surprising that two-thirds of children with primary SLCN go unidentified. Although educational psychologists (EPs) are well positioned to support schools in improving…

This small-scale research project investigated the impact of a person-centred planning (PCP) tool -- Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) -- with children and young people (CYP) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream settings. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the perceived impact of the PATH…

This research paper summarises the findings of a small-scale study that explored the experiences of emotional literacy support assistants (ELSAs) and the children with whom they work. Eight ELSAs and seven children were interviewed and a thematic analysis of the transcripts elicited key themes. The findings indicated that the ELSA-child…

The present study examines the associations between peer acceptance and friendship with loneliness, self-esteem and school engagement in a sample of 180 primary school pupils (M age = 10.94 years old, SD = 0.82, age range: 9-12 years). Peer acceptance was evaluated through a sociometric procedure, the number of children's mutual friendships…

This paper describes a therapeutic intervention within an eco-systemic approach used to support a pupil's return to school following an acquired brain injury (ABI). The outcomes suggest that there were three key facilitative factors during the reintegration back into school. These were: the psychological formulation of the individual's needs and…

Nurture Groups (NGs) are a short term, psychotherapeutic intervention aiming to provide reparative attachment experiences for children within an educational setting. The social skills of 16 children (aged between 6.0 and 9.75 years) were assessed through teacher ratings and children's self-report to hypothetical and challenging social situations.…

Child participation currently holds a high profile within the field of educational psychology and has been the subject of increasing interest and research. The aim of this paper is to consider the potential merit in orienting the focus beyond participation in planning and decision-making and towards self-advocacy. Self-advocacy is an essential…

Dynamic assessment (DA) is an interactive assessment that encompasses planned mediational teaching and assessment of the effects of that teaching on subsequent performance. DA has been motivated by the inadequacy of conventional static tests to provide accurate information about the individual's learning ability, deficient functions, change…

The paper outlines current advancements in dynamic assessment (DA), an approach that has much intuitive appeal for many second language acquisition practitioners, yet that has to date failed to take root in language classrooms. DA distinguishes itself from other approaches to assessment by insisting that "mediated assistance" of the…

To ensure improved educational outcomes for children and young people, it is essential that teachers adapt and change their teaching practice in accordance with new and emerging pedagogies and techniques. Despite its importance, many teachers find changing their practice a challenge, and this study sought to determine the factors that contribute…

Educational outcomes for looked after children (LAC) in the UK are a priority for national and local government. This study explored the impact of the ARROW literacy intervention with LAC who had been identified by their schools as requiring literacy support. ARROW is a multi-sensory, computer-based programme, designed to increase spelling and…

Recent years have seen a revived interest in therapeutic educational psychology practice. The aim of this research is to identify the range of therapeutic approaches being delivered by Educational Psychologists (EPs) in an Irish context and to elicit the views of practitioners on the facilitators and barriers to therapeutic provision. Twelve…