Frequently Used Approaches
This page contains information on some commonly used approaches within our service. An Educational Psychologist may suggest viewing this page before completing specific work within the setting.
What is circle of friends?
Circle of friends is a proactive educational approach that aims to help children create a support network and improve peers’ understanding of their behaviour
This approach was introduced to the UK in the 1990s by educational psychologists in the Nottingham area (Newton, Taylor & Wilson). It originated in Canada as a way of including children with special needs within their peer group in mainstream schools. It is based on the social psychology of acceptance.
The approach isn’t predicated on the child’s need to change in order to fit in, and isn’t based on a system of rewards and punishments designed to alter the child’s behaviour – even though changes may be part of the outcome. It is peer support rather than an adult trying to bring about change. Pupils can often be more motivated to respond to peer support than to intervention from members of staff. Adult input is relatively small.
An adult will facilitate an initial session with a whole class and then form a circle of friends, which will meet weekly for around 6 – 8 weeks. The circle acts as a resource to suggest strategies and set targets to deal with difficulties that have been jointly identified by the members of the circle and the focus child.
Circle of Friends can be completed using three main models
Model 1 |
Model 2 |
Model 3 |
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Target children are identified. The target children are taken out of the classroom for the initial discussion. The class then discuss strengths and areas of development for the target child with an outside facilitator. A circle of friends is formed to help the target child. |
Target children are identified but are not named. The initial session is conducted with the whole class but is based on general friendships skills. The parents and children are spoken with beforehand to give their consent to be a part of the group. |
The circle of friends is used with the whole class to build whole class friendship skills. 30 minutes a week are dedicated for the class to discuss friendships and to teach social skills. |
Who is it for?
Children whose emotions and behavior in school are likely to be leading to a sense of exclusion from their peers. Their attempts to belong to the group, may result in further exclusion from peers making it important to support their social development and social identity. Circle of Friends has been used successfully with pupils of all ages from infant through secondary school. The process would be the same but led in an age-appropriate way.
It can support children who find initiating, developing and maintaining social relationships with their peers difficult. It can help teach explicit social skills while creating a sense of belonging and value for the children.
Circle of friends may be suitable for children who have social communication difficulties and need to develop these skills through facilitation and within a more structured environment.
More information can be sought by contacting your school’s link EP.
