Psychological Services have a very wide ranging legal role under the Additional Support for Learning Act. This role aims to support children with additional support needs.
Our service has 5 main tasks:
Assessment and Intervention
The child or young person is assessed in relation to their class and school, their home and in the wider community. Our staff will work with all the key adults in a child’s life. A wide range of activities and techniques are used to plan and allow effective intervention.
Consultation and Advice
The Service offers consultation and advice to schools, early years centres, parents and other agencies to help them develop action plans that support children’s learning and behaviour. Each school has a liaison psychologist to help with this process. Also, the Service advises the Education Department on the resources needed to [provide for a child or young person’s additional support needs.
Staff Development
Psychological Services support the Education Department in the continuous professional development of its staff. We regularly deliver training to school staff, both teaching and non-teaching, to other agencies and to parents. Training can be provided on autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD and dyslexia as well as behaviour management and emotional competence in the Early Years.
Policy Development
We contribute to the development of policy relating to many aspects of educational provision within West Dunbartonshire. For example, the development of support for young people with an autistic spectrum condition and the development of Nurture Groups for young children.
Research and Evaluation
The Service carries out research to inform the Education Department or the Council on the value of a number of projects. For example, evaluation of projects to improve the educational outcomes of accommodated pupils, of transition arrangements and of a range of initiatives funded by the Changing Children’s Service Fund.
