The Little Hulton Project: A Pilot Child Clinical Psychology Service for Pre-School Children and their Families

A community-based early intervention psychology service for pre-school children with emotional and behavioural problems is described. The intervention included parent training groups, a weekly open clinic, and multi-agency training, liaison and consultancy. The aims were to provide successful intervention to families, to maximise liaison with community staff and to provide a seamless service to and from the main hospital department. Evidence indicated improvements in parental coping and children's behavioural difficulties using standardised measures and gains were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up. This article outlines a framework for service delivery in a small community with high socio-economic deprivation.