AN innovative project that uses video recordings of disaffected families to help get them back together should be rolled out across Scotland, experts have recommended.

Hilary Kennedy, a leading psychologist, called on the ­Scottish Government to fund a major expansion of the initiative, used in many councils, but often in a limited way. Under the project, developed in the Netherlands, parents who have a history of neglecting or abusing their ­children, or where offspring are at risk of going into care, are filmed playing with them.

The parents are shown the ­footage and any positive ­interaction, from eye contact to a physical touch, is highlighted and used as the basis for improving the relationship.

Although the technique is simple it has had some remarkable results. Mothers - many of whom have had long-term ­problems with drugs, alcohol or domestic violence - are able to see for the first time the natural bond that exists between themselves and their offspring.

Once the understanding of the bond has been established, it is much easier to develop the sort of parenting techniques many ­families take for granted - such as reading before bedtime or establishing a routine.

A recent study in Holland found just one session of Video Interactive Guidance (VIG) also had a significant impact on fathers, helping them to bond with their children from birth.

Mrs Kennedy, who helped develop the project while working as an educational psychologist in Dundee, called for a much wider adoption of VIG in Scotland. "It is something that has been introduced into Scotland before, but it is still very small at the moment and only just emerging in a number of small projects.

"The Scottish Government should be funding this in a ­universal way so we can get far more people trained up to use it, including health visitors. If you can get parents to attune to their children before major problems start to emerge then it will save an awful lot of money because these families can have normal lives."

Mrs Kennedy, an honorary lecturer at University College London, said a major reason for the success of the project was that those taking part were used to watching television and were therefore comfortable with the format and able to learn crucial lessons almost instinctively.

Fiona Williams, a senior educational psychologist with Glasgow City Council, said the success of the project is also that it is based on highlighting positive interactions for people who often see themselves in a very negative way and are used to being criticised.

"We work with parents who are often at risk of having their ­children taken away from them by social services, but don't know what to do about it," she said. "Many of them have also been badly parented and they are simply replicating what happened to them, but this allows them to break that cycle."

Stephen Curran, the council's executive member for education, said: "We are developing the video strategy because it is a highly valued resource that will benefit colleagues in education, health and social work."

Glasgow City Council is hosting a conference on the Video Interaction Guidance strategy on Thursday at the City Chambers.