School psychology in Scotland

Abstract

The development of educational psychology in Scotland has proceeded for 60 years from small beginnings in Glasgow to the provision of a psychological service covering the whole country. It comes from the belief in a well-trained teaching profession with a commitment to a public educational system for all children. The service aims to provide a psychological input to all children from birth to age 19. Legislation has given the psychological service a central role in the assessment of children who may have special educational needs and in the monitoring of the special education provided for those children. Training is shared at postgraduate level between services and the universities, with in-service training seen as the responsibility of services. The focus of work is moving from individual assessment and treatment to the consideration of social pressures and the offer of a consultation service to the educational systems.