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The Hexagon: An Exploration Tool
The Hexagon can be used as a planning tool to guide selection and evaluate potential programs and practice for use.
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Core Components
Emotion Works is a school based, education programme that equips teachers with training and resources to enhance emotional literacy and well-being in children. This universal programme is centered around a framework for increasing emotional language and understanding, which in turn helps boost emotional resilience and competence. There are differentiated levels to the Emotion Works programme, and versatility in programme resources. These allow programme delivery across different ages/stages (nursery & early years, primary and secondary) and formats (in small groups, whole classroom, whole year, or whole school assembly). Emotion Works can also be delivered as a targeted intervention to children requiring additional support services including those who are pre-verbal/non-verbal. The targeted approach applied is dependent on the focus of the desired outcome, the needs of the child(ren), and intervention preference of the delivering practitioner or service.
Emotion Works was designed in line with the Scottish curriculum. The programme does not utilise a rigid programme manual for weekly programme delivery, however there are a series of example roll-outs for the first ten weeks of delivery. Thereafter, practitioners deliver the programme by pulling from the programme resources and practice ideas. Practitioners are equipped with a hard copy resource pack and then access programme content on the online Emotion Works members platform. The teaching tools and resources available online (e.g. planners, worksheets, slideshows, visual displays, and posters) are then used to integrate the Emotion Works strategies into the school curriculum.
The key components of the Emotion Works curriculum are represented as individual ‘cogs’ in a 7-cog interconnected visual framework. Each cog has an associated colour and title for an area of emotional learning or development it represents. The seven cog concepts are emotion words, body sensations, emotion behaviours, triggers, intensity, regulation strategies, and influences. At first, the programme ensures that emotional language is in place to talk and learn about each of the cog concepts. Depending on the age and understanding of learners, the cogs are then formally introduced and linked up into 5-part, 6-part or 7-part models. Once the initial concepts are covered, Emotion Works can be utilised and referenced in daily teaching. However the formal recommendation is a minimum of once or twice weekly delivery, across the school year. The programme is intended to be delivered as a rolling programme and embedded into long term planning.
Fidelity
Programme fidelity is ensured via the following measures:
Practitioner training and subsequent accreditation for teachers who then become in-school mentors
Practitioner access to active and supportive online community
Modifiable Components
Emotion Works is only available in English language. It is predominantly delivered in Scotland but has also been delivered in several countries including Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. There is no lesson-by-lesson programme manual other than some example roll-outs for the first ten weeks of delivery that can be followed if required. The choice of resources used and practice ideas applied are dependent on delivering practitioner, and school or service context. Emotion Works can be universally delivered to children across all ages/ stages (nursery & early years, primary and secondary), and formats (in small groups, whole classroom, whole year or whole school assembly). Emotion Works can also be delivered as a targeted intervention to children requiring additional support services including those who are pre-verbal or non-verbal. While formally taught in school, Emotion Works can be used and reinforced at home, and in after school or community learning settings.
The Emotion Works curriculum and training programme was developed in Scotland by Claire Murray who is also the founder and director of Emotion Works as an organisation. Customer and Schools advisers within Emotion Works provide training, advice, and consultation to practitioners, school management, and local authorities interested in delivering the programme.
Support for Organisation / Practice
Implementation Support
Trainers deliver practitioner trainings remotely (i.e. live sessions or recorded videos), or face-to-face (in-service trainings at implementing sites, or at Emotion Works central and satellite hubs). Training is delivered to independent / freelance practitioners, as well as to practitioners affiliated with schools, nurseries/ early education settings, and additional support services. Emotion Works has made available individual packages for individual practitioners, and school packages for organisations. Local authority packages can also be made available for local authorities looking to implement the programmes across all schools or early years settings. As a standard feature in all of the Emotion Works packages, practitioners have access to online membership service. This web-based service includes online training, programme digital resources, practical examples for programme delivery, and access to a supportive online community. To enhance quality in programme delivery, Emotion Works also provide an accreditation pathway for practitioners to become accredited practitioners, mentors and trainers. Consultation visits / remote consultation (for bespoke curriculum application, use of programme website) are available to schools on an on-going basis. In-school support (e.g. for student baseline and follow-up assessments) can be provided on request. Lastly, the programme developers provide opportunities for schools to get free support, advice and resources for programme roll-out to children with severe and complex additional support needs.
Licence Requirements
A licence is required to deliver this programme. Licences are renewed yearly.
Start-up Costs
Start-up costs include Emotion Works hard copy resource packs and membership packages that are available to individuals, nurseries/ early years settings, schools, and specialist services. Individual packages are for practitioners not covered under a school/ group licence. Individual packages cost £85 for one year, and cover one year licence, website membership (which includes online training, access to digital resources), and starter resource pack. Annual licence renewal for individual practitioners costs £50. Several package options are available to nurseries/early years settings and schools. The packages differ in terms of number of classes they can be delivered to, and availability of additional premium extras.
The packages cost:
£750, £1250, £1750 for the small, medium, and large basic packages respectively
£1500, £2250, £3000 for the small, medium, and large premium packages respectively
These packages include:
one-year annual licence
staff memberships (for all staff)
training
programme resources.
Annual school membership renewal of £250 is required. This includes continued staff access to training videos, guidance materials, and digital resources. Local authority packages can also be made available, with costs dependent on number of nurseries and schools included, as well as number of practitioners trained.
Face-to-face trainings are available as optional extras and are not covered under the individual or school packages. In-service training at implementing schools for up to twenty practitioners cost £250 for one-part twilight or one half day session (two parts/sessions recommended), or £450 for the full day training. Open practitioner training sessions at Emotion Works classrooms or satellite classroom hubs cost £50pp for a full day open training day, or 2-part twilight course. If required, consultation visits and in-school support can be provided at £75 per hour.
Short-term trial programmes are now available at reduced costs. The 4-month trial period costs £250, and includes practitioner online training and digital resources. Schools wishing to upgrade to full membership packages following their trial receive their trial cost offset against their full package purchase. Practitioners, schools and local authorities looking to train as trainers or train trainers should contact the programme developers for costs associated with this process.
Building Staff Competency
Qualifications Required
Emotion Works is typically delivered by class teachers or teaching assistants. In nurseries and early years settings, the programme is typically delivered by early years practitioners. As a targeted intervention for children requiring additional support services, Emotion Works can be delivered by allied health professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, mental health professionals, and Play Therapists.
Training Requirements
Practitioners are expected to engage with the online training modules before delivering the programme. The training modules include video recordings or slideshows with supplementary written guidance and practice examples. These modules are in the members’ area of the programme website, and can be completed in about 8-10 hours. Face-to-face training can also be delivered over one full day, over 2-part twilight sessions, or over two half day sessions. Training includes programme overview, practical activities, and programme application in different settings.
To enhance quality in programme delivery, Emotion works has an accreditation pathway. This allows interested practitioners to become accredited practitioners and in-school mentors. These practitioners are required to engage in practice and gather evidence for accreditation (including Emotion Works levels and progression; learning processes at appropriate levels; stimuli and contexts for learning; evidences for impact). Practitioners are also required to submit a standard application. Accredited practitioners (who are mentors) can become trainers using a personalised trainer mentoring process. This process will continue until the practitioner is sufficiently confident and well-equipped to deliver Emotion Works training.
Supervision Requirements
Practitioners delivering the programme in schools can be mentored by accredited teachers within the school. Practitioners undergoing accreditation receive supervision and guidance during the process. This is provided by the programme developer or other experienced trainers.
Theory of Change
Emotion Works is informed by child development theory, and research on the development of emotional competence. The programme framework identifies the inter-related categories of emotional knowledge and competences. It therefore teaches emotional language and concepts relating to emotion words, body sensations, behaviours, emotion triggers, intensity, and regulation strategies.
Preschool: 3 to 5 years - Rating: 1+
Research Design & Number of Studies
The best available evidence for Emotion Works in children aged 3-5 years comes from one anecdotal study. The study included three P1/ P2 UK students who received the programme on a one-to-one basis. Other anecdotal reports are available.
Outcomes Achieved
Child outcomes
Fifty six percent (56%) reduction in number of incidents reaching crisis point (e.g. fall out or use of violence)
Parent Outcomes
None
Key References
Richard Beck. Emotion Works…. Does it? (No formal reference available)
Primary school: 6 to 12 years - Rating: 1+
Research Design & Number of Studies
There is no evidence to support programme effectiveness in children aged 6-12 years.
Adolescents: 13 to 18 years - Rating: 1+
Research Design & Number of Studies
There is no evidence to support programme effectiveness in children aged 13-18 years.
Need
Comparable Population
Emotion Works is a school based education programme that equips teachers with training and resources to enhance emotional literacy and well-being in children. The programme can be delivered across different ages/stages (nursery & early years, primary, and secondary), and education services (general education, additional support services).
Is this comparable to the population your organisation would like to serve?
Desired Outcome
Emotion Works aims to increase emotional language and understanding, boost emotional resilience and competence.
Is delivering a programme designed to increase emotional language and understanding, boost emotional resilience and competence a priority for you organisation? Does your organisation have other initiatives in place that effectively and efficiency address the above outcomes?
Need Score
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Fit
Values
Emotion Works runs in school and educational settings, and equips practitioners with training and resources to enhance emotional literacy and well-being in children. It is universally delivered across different ages, stages and sectors, and has resources & guidance for targeted delivery to students with Additional Support Needs. Emotion Works was designed in line with the Scottish curriculum, and is informed by child development theory, and research on the development of emotional competence.
Does this approach align with the key values of your organisation?
Priorities
Emotion Works is centered around a framework for increasing emotional language and understanding in children, which in turn helps boost their emotional resilience and competence. Versatility in programme resources allows programme delivery across different ages/stages of children, using different delivery formats. The programme strategies are integrated into the school curriculum.
Is increasing emotional knowledge, emotional resilience and competence in children of different ages a priority for your organisation? What ages/stages of children is the programme to be delivered? Would a programme that can be integrated in the school curriculum a priority for your organisation? Or would an after school programme, mentoring programme, a home visiting programme, telehealth programme or clinic based programme fit better?
Existing Initiatives
Does your organisation have existing programmes centered on emotional learning and literacy? Are there aspects addressed by Emotion Works that are not met by existing programmes? Are the existing initiatives effective? Do the existing initiatives fit your current and anticipated future requirements?
Fit Score
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Capacity
Workforce
Emotion Works is typically delivered by teachers, teaching assistants, and early years practitioners. As a targeted intervention, Emotion Works can be delivered by allied health practitioners including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, mental health professionals, and Play Therapists. Training prior to programme delivery is expected, and an accreditation pathway is available for practitioners to become accredited practitioners, mentors and trainers.
Will Emotion Works be delivered as a universal and/or targeted intervention? Do you have qualified practitioners who would be interested in undertaking training and delivering this programme? Will Emotion Works be delivered to small groups, specific classrooms, whole school year, or entire school? Do you have staffing capacity to support this Will practitioner training and accreditation be sought? Can this be supported?
Technology Support
As a standard feature in all of the Emotion Works packages, practitioners receive online membership service (including online training and access to digital resources).
Can your organisation provide technology that will enable practitioner access to online content (e.g. broadband, computers)?
Administrative Support
Practitioner trainings can be delivered online or face-to-face (in-service trainings or open sessions at Emotion Works classrooms in Edinburgh, or satellite training hubs).
Will practitioner trainings be delivered as in-service trainings? Does your organisation have the venue for this training?
Financial Support
Individual packages cost £85, with annual licence renewal charged at £50. Several packages for nurseries/early years settings and schools are available. Packages cost £750, £1250, £1750 for the small, medium, and large basic packages respectively, and £1500, £2250, £3000 for the small, medium, and large premium packages respectively. Annual school membership renewal costs £250. Four month trial packages are available £250. Face-to-face trainings are available as optional extras and are not covered under these packages. In-service training at implementing schools for up to 20 practitioners cost £250 for one twilight or one half day session (2 sessions recommended), or £450 for the full training. Open practitioner training sessions at Emotion Works classrooms or satellite classroom hubs cost £50pp for a full day open training day, or 2-part twilight course. If required, consultation visits and in-school support can be provided at £75 per hour.
What school package size will be purchased (based on your school size)? Are additional premium extras required? Can your organisation financially support the cost of packages, and annual licence renewal? Will practitioners undergo face-to-face trainings? Will training be at implementing site or Emotion Works hub? Can this be financially supported?
Capacity Score
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