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Video Interaction Guidance (VIG)


Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) is a way of looking at video clips of people interacting. It supports an understanding of communication. This provides a process for building communication and interaction skills.

How to access our support?

VIG requests are made by professionals from the Local Authority who are working directly with families, such as health visitors, family workers and social workers etc. Parents and carers are not able to request VIG directly. You will be asked to complete a ‘video interaction guidance consent form’ before any video is taken.

  • It will highlight the strengths people already have linked to the area they want help with.
  • It will build on these strengths.
  • Seeing yourself communicating effectively is a very empowering and motivating process.
  • The process provides an understanding of communication that can be applied in any interaction.

  • An initial visit between VIG practitioner and the referring professional supports the family to work from the problem to identified goals that VIG can help with.
  • A short clip of video is taken (approximately 10 minutes) of the interaction of those involved.
  • The video is looked at by the VIG practitioner who will pick out a small number of clips showing positive communication.
  • The VIG practitioner returns to the family to feedback and discuss the clips. Often this feedback session is also videoed as part of the process.
  • Families are equal partners in the process with the VIG practitioner.

  • The videos belong to the people in them.
  • Families will receive a written contract to explain the consent and how the video will be securely stored. It says that the video will not be shown to anyone outside of the VIG project without their permission. 

  • The model was developed in Holland 30 years ago.
  • The theoretical base to the model was provided by Professor Colwyn Trevarthen, based at Edinburgh University. He picked out the successful components of mother and child interactions. These have become the corner stone to the approach and are referred to as “the principles of attuned interaction."

VIG is effective with children and young people of all ages including pre-term infants. It can be with birth families, children in care with their foster carer(s) and in adoptive families. VIG can be used at any time and for anyone, even when relationships feel like they have broken down. 

VIG requests will be accepted where there is:

  • a currently involved professional from Cornwall Council’s Together for Families (TFF) services
  • and when there are concerns with communication, interaction and / or relationships not developing as expected for a number of possible reasons.

VIG is for parents and carers who want to make changes to communication and interaction, relationships and confidence with parenting. An assessment by a professional in TFF such as a Health Visitor (for children aged 4 and under), Social Worker, Family Worker or Psychologist may indicate any of the following concerns:

  • The parent may be experiencing mental health challenges during or after pregnancy, or face difficulties in bonding with their baby if they are separated 
    The parent or carer is developing a relationship with the child that is not as they expected it to be
  • The parent is having difficulty bonding with their baby or missed the opportunity to bond with their child when they were younger
  • A parent or carer is needing support to apply learning from other interventions or professional support (e.g. parenting courses or an Early Help Plan) into daily life
  • Extra help is needed to strengthen connection and give hope for the relationship
  • The parent may be finding it difficult to express their emotions towards their child or support their child to manage their emotions in a safe and healthy way
  • More positive family relationships are needed to improve self-esteem and emotional development of the child
  • The parent or carer needs help to see the world from the child’s point of view
  • Due to a child’s Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), the cues they give and ways they communicate can be complex. The parent or carer may require additional support and confidence building in this area
  • VIG is recommended for children and young people with autism: see the guidance on 'Autism Spectrum Disorder in Under 19s: Support and Management' from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 

Requests for involvement for VIG are managed by the Early Help Hub or submitted via a Case Management Decision (CMD). Discuss the appropriate route with your line manager and follow the guidance to ensure all required information is included.

  • Before making a request, please consider the following:
  • Has the assessment you have done with the family or child indicated that VIG would be the appropriate intervention? If so, can you make sure this is clear as part of your request for VIG
  • Have you discussed whether VIG would be an appropriate intervention with other people working with the family? Is everyone clear why VIG would be helpful?

Answers to the following questions will be required before the request is accepted. This must be included in the Parent/Carer’s views section on the EHH request for help form or the Case Management Decision (CMD) form.

  • What change is hoped for from the parent or carer by engaging with the VIG service and has this been mutually agreed?
  • What impact will this have on the child’s lived experience? Is the parent or carer clear about this?
  • Have any children aged 12 and over given their own consent to be filmed where relevant?

If you or the family are not sure whether VIG is the right intervention then completing the PRFQ prior to referral could help.

Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaires

If you are not sure whether the service would be right, you can watch this Information for referrers video or please contact us for more information.

Last Updated:

24/04/2025

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