Psychosocial Skills: An Operational Framework for Psychosocial Skills (CPS) Experts and Trainers. Volume II

This operational framework is one of the key reference and expert resources produced by Santé publique France to support the multisectoral strategy for the implementation of psychosocial skills (CPS). This strategy, formalized by Interministerial Directive 2022-2037 published on August 19, 2022, aims to “enable all children to develop their psychosocial skills from a very young age, throughout their development, and in all settings,” so that “the 2037 generation will be the first to grow up in an environment that continuously supports the development of psychosocial skills.” This document follows up on the “Framework for Implementation Among Children and Youth: A Synthesis of the State of Scientific and Theoretical Knowledge, 2021 ” (Santé publique France, 2022) as well as Volume I of the operational framework (Santé publique France, 2025). These expert publications aim to build a shared culture around psychosocial competencies, drawing on up-to-date scientific knowledge as well as French expertise and experience. They also aim to promote the implementation of high-quality interventions and practices across all sectors involving children and youth.The framework aims to promote understanding of the psychological mechanisms underpinning each psychosocial skill. It offers a clear and accessible synthesis of the main current consensus-based knowledge, despite the diversity of existing theoretical models across disciplines and schools of thought. Based on scientific and experiential knowledge, it is intended for experienced practitioners (PSC trainers, PSC experts, PSC program managers, etc.) and aims to support their fieldwork by providing “actionable knowledge” through a “knowledge transfer” approach. To facilitate learning about the key psychological mechanisms underlying psychosocial competencies, these mechanisms are presented in the form of a list that associates each psychosocial competency with the specific knowledge and skills specific to it. Mastering these mechanisms is essential for strengthening one’s own psychosocial competencies and developing those of others. This conceptual and practical understanding of each psychosocial competency should help integrate them into everyday practices and facilitate the implementation of high-quality formal and informal psychoeducational activities for children, youth, and/or parents.Developed by Santé publique France in collaboration with specialists (researchers and/or practitioners), this two-volume framework addresses each of the twenty specific psychosocial competencies in the updated classification, published in 2022 by the agency (a classification that was slightly adjusted in form and substance in 2025). The analysis and understanding of how each psychosocial competency functions, carried out as part of this work, have revealed a progressive nature to their learning.The framework is organized around this progressive nature. Thus, in addition to being classified into three categories (cognitive, emotional, and social) according to the World Health Organization’s typology, the psychosocial competencies have also been grouped into two major phases, each of which is the subject of a separate volume.Phase 1 (Volume I) covers the foundational psychosocial competencies in each category (Cognitive PSK 1, Emotional PSK 1, Social PSK 1). These initial competencies can be considered foundational psychosocial competencies aimed at strengthening understanding and acceptance of cognitive, emotional, and relational mechanisms.Phase 2, covered in this second volume, corresponds to the second psychosocial competencies in each category (Cognitive PSK 2, Emotional PSK 2, Social PSK 2). These competencies help improve self-regulation and self-fulfillment.Building on Volume I, this second volume follows the same format: it presents the second-level general psychosocial competencies—strengthening self-control and self-fulfillment (2nd-level general cognitive PSK), regulating emotions and stress (2nd-level general emotional PSK), and resolving relational difficulties (2nd general social PSK). It includes 9 specific skills (4 cognitive, 3 emotional, 2 social) and 29 areas of knowledge and know-how. This volume thus completes the detailed presentation of each of the 6 general psychosocial competencies, 20 specific psychosocial competencies, and 55 areas of knowledge and skills from the psychosocial competency classification updated by Santé publique France (2022, 2026). This document serves as an operational reference framework that should enable the various sectors involved to develop intervention guidelines and practical resources with content that is evidence-based and tailored to their target audiences and contexts. It contributes to knowledge sharing and the development of a common vision of psychosocial competencies. It serves as a conceptual and operational foundation for developing high-quality, nationwide interventions in this field.

Author(s): Lamboy Béatrice, Jeannel Dominique, Mouraire Emma, Gauchet Aurélie, Simar Carine, Shankland Rebecca

Publishing year: 2026

Pages: 224 p.

Collection: Methods

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