BackgroundPathfinders
The Model
Strategic Officer Role
Background
The Beattie Report (1999) represented a significant challenge and opportunity for Education Psychologists in Scotland , to consider participation and attainment amongst young people in post-school education and how to help improve young peoples' employability. In seeking to better address the needs of vulnerable young people, it anticipated a key role for Psychological Services to enhance the delivery of assessment and intervention services by stakeholders and partner organisations. It recommended that the development of a post-school educational psychology service for 16-24 year olds should:
- Complement the assessment and advice provided by colleges or training providers.
- Contribute to contextual assessment which is solution-focused and consistent with Inclusiveness.
- Support the transition process.
- Contribute to strategic developments at regional or national level.
- Improve the understanding, skills and effectiveness of service providers through consultation, training and action research
This work was taken forward over the period 2001-2004 by three part-time National Development Officers (NDOs), Cyril Hellier, Perth and Kinross Council, Jacqueline Boyle, Angus Council and Ron Crichton, Glasgow City Council.
The development of the PSPS model is the result of a detailed consultation and key stakeholder survey, carried out by the National Development Officers. Developing PSPS: A Survey of Key Stakeholders and subsequent Interim Report outlines this process, the Executive officially responded to the Interim Report in 2004.
From April 2004, the development work is being undertaken by 2 Strategic Officers, Cyril Hellier, Midlothian Council and Ron Crichton, Glasgow City Council on secondment to The Scottish Government.
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Pathfinders
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Lewis Macdonald MSP approved, in 2003, 12 Local Authority pathfinders over the period of 2004-2006 to demonstrate service delivery at the local, cluster and strategic levels. The aim is for local authorities who are in a position to deliver, to build on current best practice on transitions and post-school working in different geographic locations. The Executive made £1.4 million available for Pathfinder Services over 2004-06. Ministerial approval was given in 2006 to continue roll-out to the remaining Local Authorities.
There are 20 Local Authority PSPS Pathfinders at present, with the remaining 12 Local Authorities currently under consideration. Roll out to date sees Glasgow City Council, Clackmannanshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Perth and Kinross, Falkirk, Stirling, Angus, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Dundee, Fife, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Inverclyde, East Lothian, North Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and Highlands and Islands.
Following approval from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop MSP a further roll out was given to the remaining 12 Local Authorities commencing from 1 April 2008. The areas are Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Moray, Orkney, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, Shetland and Western Isles.
In agreeing the roll-out, Ministers recognise that Post School Psychological Services has an important contribution to make in delivery of the new national indicator (to increase the proportion of school leavers in positive and sustained destinations) by promoting partnership working and ensuring a stronger focus on improving interventions, and outcomes for all vulnerable young people at the point of transition from school and beyond. This includes implementation of the statutory measures in the Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act which HM Inspectors of Education identified in its recent evaluation as a key area for improvement.
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The Model
In developing the Post School Psychological Services model we recognised that for many of our young people the barriers they face do not disappear on leaving school. Rather than creating a new service to cover the post school sector, the PSPS model builds on the Educational Psychological Service in local authorities. Our funding provides for a limited Educational Psychologist resource, varying from 0.5 to 2.0 FTE depending on the size of the local authority. As a result it is important to recognise that Post School Psychological Services cannot be about providing a one-to-one client service, but has to be delivered differently from the Educational Psychological Service. It therefore has four core roles and aims which are delivered nationally and locally:
The Educational Psychological Services within Post School Psychological Services has 4 core roles and aims:
- Consultation - to build effective and meaningful interventions for clients by advising and contracting through consultation.
- Assessment and Intervention - to minimise barriers to learning and to support the development and social and emotional adjustment.
- Training and Development - to enhance the skill base and understanding of staff to maximise their contribution to client and systems development.
- Projects and Action Research - to identify and develop best practice.
The services will be subject to service level agreements with key stakeholders, notably Further Education Colleges , Careers Scotland and local Training Providers. The service level agreements aim to provide the framework for collaboration amongst the delivery agencies in order to maximise their resources.
Pathfinders will co-ordinate resources, forming clusters, where possible, which will ensure that effective services are provided to stakeholders who may not have boundaries co-terminus with local authorities. The best way forward will be agreed locally, for each pathfinder area.
At national and strategic level Post School Psychological Services is being taken forward by our 2 Strategic Officers (seconded from local authority services) Cyril Hellier and Ron Crichton.
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Strategic Officer Role
The Strategic Officers (SOs), linked to local authorities, will deliver services to national bodies such as Beattie Resources for Inclusiveness in Technology and Education (BRITE), Scottish Further Education Unit and Students Awards Agency Scotland . The Strategic Officers will also be responsible for overseeing the development of Post School Psychological Services at a local and cluster level.
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