What to expect from an EP assessment
Initial Contact
All services begin with a brief free telephone call between Gemma and the parent/guardian who will be asked initial questions about their concerns so that together a way forward can be agreed.
Gemma may offer either an Observation & Consultation or a full Educational Psychology (EP) assessment (see below for details)
If EP services are agreed, Gemma will email the parent/guardian with an Initial Contact form and Consent form for completion and return, and a copy of her Terms & Conditions.
Observation & Consultation
If an observation & consultation are agreed, Gemma will arrange a date to visit the child, along with time to meet with parents/school staff. Gemma will supply notes from this visit to the parents/guardians (and school staff with consent) within two weeks of the meeting summarising the observation, details of the consultation and any agreed actions and next steps. This is not a full EP report.
For some children, an observation & consultation is sufficient to provide an understanding of the child's needs and next steps for parents/guardians and school staff. If following this work a full EP Assessment is requested or recommended then an additional fee will be agreed.
Full EP Assessment
If a full EP Assessment is agreed, Gemma will send further questionnaires to the parents/guardians and school staff for completion. An observation at school, or the home, will then be arranged and sometimes a meeting with parents/guardians and school staff to explore their concerns. Gemma will then arrange to meet with the child at home or school for individual assessment and to gather their views. The details of this work will be dependent on the concerns and questions asked about the child.
During any individual assessment, Gemma will welcome the child to the assessment and explain to them the purpose of the meeting, aiming to minimise any anxieties they may have. She will work at the child’s pace, giving them breaks as needed. School staff and parents are not present during the assessment but Gemma will offer brief feedback at the end of the meeting.
The child’s parent/guardian will receive an electronic EP Report within three weeks of the assessment. There will be an opportunity for them to provide any feedback on the report if they believe there are any factual errors. The report will contain any agreed actions from all meetings and recommendations to support the child at home and/or school. These may include strategies, interventions or provisions necessary to support their learning, development and wellbeing. If necessary, Gemma will suggest referral to other services.
Feedback Meetings & Reviews
If requested, Gemma can arrange a feedback meeting with the parents/guardian and school staff following receipt of the EP report. This allows adults to ask any follow up questions based on the EP report and provides an opportunity to develop an action plan for implementing the recommendations.
Subsequent review meetings can be scheduled to discuss progress or further concerns, with an additional fee agreed.