Statutory Duties
The maintenance of a Psychological Service has been a statutory duty of a Local Authority since 1969. The statutory functions of the Psychological Service are given in detail in the Education (Scotland) Act 1981 (as amended)
Like others working with children, the Psychological Service is also bound by the general principles of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. These principles underpin many aspects of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act (2004) and the associated Supporting Children's Learning, Code of Practice. That is,
- Psychologists must not intervene directly with a child unless that is clearly in the child's best interests and any recommendations they make should be based solely on the best interests of the child.
- They should consult the child before any such intervention and should discuss the results of any assessment with the child, insofar as he or she is able to understand the implications of what is being discussed.
- The psychologist's intervention should be as non-intrusive as possible; those working with the children should, wherever possible, use the psychologist on a consultative basis.
In their work with schools psychologists ensure that direct contact with a child or young person is only made when a process of staged intervention has shown it to be to the child's advantage.
See also
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Acting Principal Psychologist, Psychological Service
Second Floor , 15 Mar Street, Alloa, FK10 1HR
Tel: 01259 226000
Email: arussell@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.