Special Educational Needs Assessment

 Understanding a child or young person's strengths and needs can be life-changing — both for them and the adults supporting them. I offer tailored psychological assessments that provide meaningful insight into learning, behaviour, emotional functioning and educational needs. These assessments are used to inform school support, contribute to EHCP reviews or requests and, where necessary, provide evidence for legal proceedings such as SEND Tribunals.

Assessments can be carried out for children, teenagers and young adults who may be struggling , not reaching their potential or finding aspects of learning and interaction particularly challenging. While some difficulties are easy to spot, others may be more subtle but still have a significant impact on daily life and educational progress.

What does an assessment involve?

Each assessment involves a combination of direct work with the child or young person, analysis of their profile and needs, and a detailed written report. My approach explores four key areas of special educational needs:

  • Cognition and Learning – How a person learns, thinks and processes information

  • Communication and Interaction – Speech, language, understanding and social interaction

  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health – Emotional regulation, behaviour and mental wellbeing

  • Sensory and/or Physical Needs – Physical or sensory difficulties that affect access to learning

Where relevant, I also consider Preparing for Adulthood, which typically covers:

  • Education, Employment and Training – Planning for further education, training or work

  • Independent Living – Developing skills to live independently or with support

  • Community Inclusion – Encouraging social participation and access to local activities

  • Health and Wellbeing – Supporting physical and emotional health for adult life

Assessments help to:

  • Identify areas of strength and need

  • Understand how emotional factors may be affecting learning and behaviour

  • Explore underlying learning profiles and processing differences

  • Consider attention, memory, language, organisation and working style

  • Offer clear, practical recommendations that schools and families can act on

Who might benefit from an assessment?

Psychological assessments can help clarify difficulties related to:

  • Concentration, attention or hyperactivity (such as ADHD traits)

  • Learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia

  • Anxiety, low mood or emotional regulation

  • Social interaction, communication or sensory processing

  • Underachievement or disengagement in school

Every assessment is individualised. I do not take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The tests and methods used are selected based on the person’s age, needs and context. The outcome is a report that offers a deeper understanding of what is going on, why and what can be done to support progress.

Under the Resources tab, you will find frequently asked questions, as well as information you can share with the person being assessed to help them understand what to expect.

Updated guidance on report length (May 2025)

Psychological reports are written in different formats depending on the purpose of the assessment. Each report is carefully tailored to meet specific needs and it is important to select the correct type of assessment based on how the report will be used.

There are three assessment types available:

  • Standard Assessment: A comprehensive, narrative-based report providing detailed insight into the child or young person’s development, learning profile, strengths and needs. This report is suitable for informing school support, understanding a young person’s profile in depth or guiding next steps outside of legal processes.

  • Annual Review Assessment: A shorter report designed to update existing information for an EHCP annual review. It focuses on progress, current strengths and areas of need.

  • Tribunal/Appeal Assessment: This assessment is specifically designed for use in a SEND Tribunal or legal appeal. The report follows the national guidance on length and format (April 2025) and includes focused analysis, Tribunal-appropriate outcomes and placement commentary. This is the only report type that meets the specific requirements for legal submission to a SEND Tribunal.

Each assessment is designed to serve a different purpose and the content and structure of the report reflect that. Choosing the assessment that matches your intended use will ensure the report is as useful and appropriate as possible. If you are unsure which option best fits your needs, I am always happy to talk it through with you.

Assessment Options

I offer three levels of assessment, each suited to different purposes. All options include both the assessment itself and report writing. Travel time and school visits are charged separately. If tribunal attendance is required, this is charged in addition to the quoted assessment rate.

All assessments are independent, evidence-based and written clearly to support the child or young person’s best interests. Where used for legal purposes, reports meet the requirements of SEND Tribunal and are presented in a balanced, impartial way.

Each assessment includes:

  • Direct assessment time

  • Analysis and report writing

  • Additional information gathering, where relevant (e.g. reviewing documents, professional reports or parental case)

Standard Assessment

  • Direct assessment

  • Analysis and report writing

Best for: School-based planning or early-stage EHCP requests.

  • Full psychological assessment and written report

  • Exploration of cognitive, learning and emotional needs

  • Covers all four areas of SEN

  • Considers Preparation for Adulthood where relevant

  • Includes short- and long-term goals

  • Recommends appropriate support and provision

Best for: identifying current strengths and areas of need and to support the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review).

Not suitable for Tribunal use as it does not include SMART outcomes or detailed review of existing documentation.

Annual Review Assessment

  • Direct assessment

  • Analysis and report writing

  • Additional review of EHCP content and outcome alignment

Best for: Reviewing or updating an existing EHCP.

  • Includes everything in the Standard Assessment

  • Provides SMART outcomes tailored to EHCP sections

  • Reviews current EHCP content and provision

  • Considers alignment with legal/statutory frameworks

  • Preparation for Adulthood considered where appropriate

Tribunal / Appeal Assessment

  • Direct assessment

  • In depth analysis and report writing

  • Additional work (document review, case preparation, placement analysis)

  • Visits to additional setting and tribunal attendance are charged separately

Best for: Families preparing for a SEND Tribunal or Appeal.

  • Includes all elements of the Annual Review Assessment

  • Reviews existing professional reports and documentation

  • Considers the parental case, including preferences for placement

  • Offers detailed commentary on provision and placement suitability

  • Structured to provide robust evidence for Tribunal or Appeal submission

  • Tribunal attendance (if required) is charged separately