The educational psychologist as a consultant : an evaluation of a systematic problem-solving approach in the junior-primary section of a school hostel

The application of systemic principles to a consultancy model was explored, using the systemic problem-solving methodologies developed in Britain by Burden (1978, 1981, 1983) and Checkland (1981). It is argued that, in addition to the traditional role of the educational psychologist as a child and family psychologist, the role of the educational psychologist should be extended to include a function as a consultant to social systems. The focus of the intervention was the children in the junior-primary section of a boarding-school. A team of consultants was formed for the duration of the intervention. The team comprised of key members from the system and the novice educational psychologist, with the academic supervisor acting as an outside consultant. The analysis focused on rules and patterns. Patterns of communication, support, isolation and problem-solving were highlighted. The intervention focused on structural changes. Structural changes, attitudinal changes and the process itself were evaluated. Agreement by consensus was used as a measure of change. Consensus was reached that the model had impacted positively on the problem-solving skills of the team and the previous isolation of team members. However limited news of difference was found in relation to the children. This was connected to the fact that many of the changes had not been implemented fully or for a sufficient period of time.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

School of Education

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Frank, Elzan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Donald, David

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15990

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/15990