Educational Psychologists work to help children and young people overcome barriers to learning and make the most of their potential. We work with the child and the adults around him or her to understand the situation and help decide on what steps should be taken to allow the child to move forward

Educational psychologists help to clarify a situation by:

• Meeting and interacting with the child
• Observing a child
• Discussing the situation with the child’s parents and teachers
• Assessing the child’s learning abilities and what finding what interventions work best for him or her

Educational psychologists also work directly with teachers and parents to help them feel clearer about how to meet individual learning needs. We do this by offering training and consultations.

The nature of an educational psychology assessment will depend on the needs of the child, so will usually start with a discussion with the adults who know the child best.

Sometimes a detailed consultation will be what is required for parents and teachers to be clearer about a situation, what they want to do differently and what interventions can be put in place. There will often also be an observation of the child so the psychologist can see how they get on with learning tasks in real life.

The individual assessment is also required this may cover:

Cognitive Abilities

• Verbal comprehension
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Working memory
• Processing speed
• Emotional wellbeing
• Attention
• Self-concept

Schools have a responsibility to meet the special educational needs of their students. All schools have a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) and it is this person’s role to support class teachers and ensure needs are met. SENDCos will usually have undergone specialist training and will have expertise in implementing appropriate intervention.

If parents, the class teacher or SENDCo are not clear about why a child seems to have difficulties or are not sure what to do next it can help to work with an educational psychologist.

If children have a high level of special educational needs or disabilities an application may be made to the local authority for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment. If an EHCP is put in place for a child this will become a legally binding document that will outline all the child’s special educational needs and disabilities, along with what needs to happen to meet those needs. An educational psychologist will usually be involved in assessment and writing advice for the EHCP.

Psychology Foundations is based in Lincolnshire. We work with schools and families throughout Lincolnshire, Peterborough, and the East Midlands.

For expert witness work, including for SEND tribunals or personal injury cases we work throughout the UK, including London.

If you are involved in mediation with the Local Authority or have decided to move forward towards a SEND tribunal you will want to be as clear as possible about the evidence for your child’s special educational needs and disabilities, along with the approaches and provision required to meet those needs.  

Educational psychologists often act as ‘expert witnesses’ in SEND tribunals. This means that they write a report for the court and/or attend the tribunal itself to explain the child’s needs and the provision required.

You can get in touch for a chat to discuss whether you feel this would be beneficial for your situation.

At Psychology Foundations we understand that parents and teachers are often under immense pressure. It can feel like a constant battle to ensure that a child with additional needs receives the education they deserve.

The assessment process can seem overwhelming and intimidating. We aim to be approachable and down to earth – you should feel comfortable to ask any question you like. We work in collaboration with parents and teachers to find a path through complex situations while recognising that there is a child at the centre of the process.

Children have a legal right to have their learning needs met in school. If a child has special educational needs or disabilities the local authority is obliged to meet these needs.

For a minority of children with a high level of need, an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) will be required.

The EHCP should describe the nature of the needs, appropriate learning outcomes, and the provision that should be in place to meet the needs.

Often this process works well, but occasionally parents feel that their child’s needs are not being met in school. Sometimes discussions with the school or even mediation can resolve any challenges. If parents continue to have concerns they can choose to make an appeal to a  First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

More information on this process can be found at the UK Government website or the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA).

Click HERE for the UK Gov Website.

Click HERE for the IPSEA website.