Happiness, or subjective well-being, the self-evaluation of how happy or unhappy a person is, has been studied amongst adults using a variety of self-report methods. However, there has been relatively little related work with children. A psychometrically valid and reliable SWB measure for schoolchildren aged 8- to 15-years-old, the School…

Following suggestions for updated models of service within the early years educational psychologist (EP) role, the study aimed to provide exploratory research evidence of current models of service delivery and EP attitudes. Questionnaires were completed by 32 EPs. Interviews were conducted with three EPs. Quantitative data obtained were analysed…

Research consistently reports an educational disadvantage of being looked after. There is a lack of literature pertaining specifically to young people who are placed out of their local authority. The following research reports on an investigation of educational psychologists' views on the educational implications of non-local authority residential…

There is a wealth of autobiographical material produced by people who describe themselves as experiencing autistic spectrum disorders. Increasingly, these writers and academics are suggesting that professionals should be using this material to help develop understanding. This paper describes a small scale, qualitative research project that…

There has been little attempt to relate well-known educational approaches in autism to increased psychological understanding about the condition. This paper addresses that gap. Four discrete educational approaches to autism (Higashi, Lovaas, Option, TEACCH), and two "eclectic" approaches (SPELL, one LEA specific), are explored within the context…

This article explores the use of consultation within educational psychology practice and suggests there is confusion and lack of clarity within the profession surrounding the term, how we use it and how inclusive or exclusive it is as a practice. Three ways of conceptualising consultation are suggested and examples of research and theoretical…

Project work and in-service training are methods used by educational psychologists (EPs) to promote systemic change in schools. These have some disadvantages, which can limit the long-term effects of new developments. This paper outlines and evaluates an alternative approach. A new coach consult method combines effective aspects of project work…

This paper describes an exploratory pilot research project, aimed at investigating occupational stress amongst educational psychologists. It investigated three areas: educational psychologists' perceptions of their own stress levels, sources of stress and possible work conditions, which may reduce stress levels. Data was collected via…

As an educational psychologist taking up a therapeutic role in schools following a traumatic event I have struggled to make sense of what happens. This paper is structured around three metaphors that are informed by psychoanalytic thinking, which work both at the individual level and the systemic level. These metaphors have helped me objectify the…

This study investigated the impact of different aspects of the circle of friends (CoF) intervention. A naturalistic sample of 14 primary-aged children with a range of special educational needs were involved, seven of whom were followed-up a term later, to assess medium-term impact. The whole-class meeting was found to be effective in increasing…

Effective and efficient assessment is essential to support school improvement, the progress of individual pupils and teachers' classroom management. A group of educational psychologists used the items for measuring pupils emotional and behavioural development found in "Supporting school improvement: Emotional and behavioural development" (2001) to…

This paper outlines the development, within a small, rural educational psychology service in Wales, of a group consultation approach to service delivery. This involved educational psychologists offering consultation to small groups of teachers as an alternative to direct assessment work. The process of implementing the group consultation approach…

This paper considers the need for the profession of educational psychology to critically consider the theoretical foundations of expert practice in the wake of the complexities and changes of contemporary society within the UK. It argues that the a priori assumptions of conventional educational psychology practice have led to practice being…

This paper describes a small-scale research project carried out one year after the implementation of a consultation model of service delivery within an Educational Psychology Service. Following a series of interviews held with special needs co-ordinators, a hierarchy of development was identified, and conditions pertaining to this development…

Girls are outperforming boys in public examinations. However, this does not apply to "all boys" and "all girls", nor is it true of every subject. This paper questions the claims made based upon the statistical evidence and goes on to look at social, individual and school factors that may contribute to observed gender differences in school…