East Midlands Knowledge Network: Routes To University Expertise

 

Nottingham City Community Educational Psychology Service

Public Services Management

Description and aims

The aim of the project is to provide University expertise to enable the CEPS and the Local Authority to develop a research strategy and to build action research capacity. The project will work with a number of Special Schools and parents to enable them to develop action research projects located within a new-build Centre of Excellence (special educational needs) project funded by the City Local Authority. In addition, the project aims to support the development of the Communication for Inclusion Research Unit (CIRU), led by NTU Psychology and Nottingham City CEPS, which focuses on the needs of children (and adults) with communication disabilities.

The project came about as a result of a relatively long-standing professional and research based relationship among the founding members of CIRU which led them to develop the unit.

About Nottingham City Community Educational Psychology Service

Nottingham City Community Educational Psychology Service (CEPS) works with children and young people who have significant special educational needs usually at the request of schools and parents. The CEPS use ideas about psychology in education to problem solve and make a difference, enabling the achievement and effective inclusion of all Nottingham City children.

How the project is being undertaken

The project will facilitate the aim of the Nottingham Local Authority and the CEPS to use evidence-based practice, and practice-based evidence as means of maintaining excellence in its services for children with educational needs. The Authority aspires to be a regional leader in bringing together practitioners and researchers in the area of special educational needs. To this end the Authority is planning a significant research presence within its new-build Centre of Excellence project, and seeks the University’s partnership in this. The CIRU steering group comprises Academics from NTU, Practitioners from the CEPS, Inclusion Services (Education), Speech and Language Therapy (Health Service), Parents and Service Users.

As an established joint unit, the CIRU is well placed to facilitate a regional partnership between the Local Authority and this University, with knowledge transfer benefits to both partners.

Impacts and benefits

The project will embed the research in everyday practice which will enhance the provision of educational services for those with communication impairments. Research expertise of this sort can be delivered by CIRU at NTU. Funding for action research projects will add to the resource base that is available for meeting specific educational needs within Nottingham City Authority. The CIRU will be able to develop a portfolio of training activities (short CPD courses and postgraduate qualifications in action research) for services and service users in the region.

The steering group meetings, together with planning meetings and seminars, are an excellent means of sharing knowledge and understanding, and of ensuring that the benefits of locally available expertise are fully realised. A CASE studentship will enable a three year, jointly planned and supervised action research project to be undertaken

NTU staff and students benefit from the close relationship that is developing with Nottingham City CEPS. Already, two undergraduate student projects have been undertaken, a small British Council award of £2,100 has been made, there will be work experience and research opportunities associated with the new-build Centre of Excellence, and additional practitioner expertise will be available on NTU masters and undergraduate modules. The project will support and reinforce the academic’s commitment to research-informed-teaching and will enhance contact with user communities.

For more information about the project

If you would like to hear more about this project, please contact Dr Andy Grayson, School of Social Science: Email andy.grayson@ntu.ac.uk or by telephone 0115 848 5610.

Duration

Five months

University

Nottingham Trent University

Academic Lead

Dr Andy Grayson and Dr Anne Emerson

School of Social Sciences

Contact

Dr Andy Grayson

0115 848 5610