Keep up to date with our latest news, read about the research behind the Decider Skills program, and read studies or testimonials from organisations implementing the Skills.
REPORT
South Perthshire Community Mental Health Team have provided their most recent report on the impact of Decider Skills. They offer a structured yet informal space for individuals to develop essential life skills. Led by Karen and Ellie, these sessions empower participants to manage emotions, build resilience, and connect with others through shared experiences. They currently deliver reoccurring groups in 3 locations across South Perthshire as well as numerous 1:1's during clinic hours.
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STUDY
Zoe Dillon and Laura Collins conducted research into the impact of collaborative co-facilitated groups, implementing the Decider Skills, with Experts by Experience (EBE) and mental health nurses. Read the poster for this research presentation below.
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REPORT
Results from The Decider Skills pilot group held in Aberdeen
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Dr Bruce Perry, Beacon House
Dr Bruce Perry, a pioneering neuroscientist in the field of trauma, has shown us that to help a vulnerable child to learn, think and reflect, we need to intervene in a simple sequence.
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REPORT
Feedback from a 2 day workshop attended by CAMHS professionals & from young service users. The Decider has since "become embedded in the Inpatient Unit and proved to be very popular with the young people with a good regular weekly attendance. This is a fairly new group but has been measured using the DERS 18 questionnaire which measures aspects of emotional regulation. The results of the group are promising"
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REPORT
Outcome data for young people who completed The Decider Skills group in 2016
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REPORT
University of Southampton's report into Upturn Young Person's Service 2017 using The Decider Life Skills.
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CASE STUDY
Evidence suggesting increased mental health and wellbeing problems with children gives a rationale for developing and delivering proactive interventions. The Decider Skills is a framework that aims to teach children skills to manage their emotions and wellbeing. This study looked at whether students who participate in the programme as a whole-school approach would demonstrate an increased ability to recognise and better manage their emotions as rated by themselves, their parents, and their teachers.
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IMPACT STORY
NEWSolutions CIC uses The Decider Life Skills to support children and adults in the community. Over the past 3 years, NEWSolutions has delivered Decider Skills to more than 800 children aged 8–10 across schools in Angus and Aberdeenshire. Here’s what Carole and Rachael, Therapeutic Resource Workers, say about the impact of The Decider Skills
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CASE STUDY
A Case Study of The Decider Skills being effectively used in a Prison
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IMPACT STORY
Specialist Occupational Therapist within SPRING service, Louise Paul, shares their thoughts on how implementing the Decider Skills has impacted the people they work with. Louise has also provided quotes from some of the women who attend their groups.
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TESTIMONIAL
Forensic Clinical Psychologist Dr David Briggs highlights how The Decider Skills offer credible, memorable and accessible psychological education for prisoners.
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A summary of the evidence basis for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), the psychological theory and practice that serve as the foundation for the Decider Skills.
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REPORT
Increasing resilience by teaching The Decider Life Skills to student mental health nurses in Ireland
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REPORT
A multi-perspective evaluation of specialist mental health clinical pharmacist prescribers practising within general practices in NHS Highland Provided by NHS Highland and Robert Gordon University 2018
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NEWSLETTER
Celebrating 2025 & Launching 2026 with New Tools and Inspiring Stories
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This page offers a guide to teaching The Decider Skills remotely
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Tara Doherty and Ruth Martin
The Decider Skills - a review of teaching The Decider Skills remotely via Zoom during the 2020 lockdown
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