What might this look like
When an education setting (usually the School’s SENCo) has identified that a child or young person has special educational needs and or a disability (SEND), the setting is required to put in place strategies and interventions to try to address the areas of need as part of the Graduated Response.
Many children and young people with SEND do not need the involvement from an EP. However, if there are significant concerns about the child or young person’s progress, then the SENCo, with parent or carer consent, can seek advice from an EP at a termly Psychological Consultation Meeting (PCM). In some, limited circumstances, the school (or appropriate local authority or corporate partner for example Virtual School) may be able to commission EP involvement.
EP Assessment should be multidisciplinary and joint ‘problem-solving’ with the team around a child is more likely to bring about change through shared understanding than direct work with the child.
The way information is gathered as part of an EP assessment will be determined by the EP who is carrying out the assessment. Assessment tools will be selected based on a number of complex factors, including -
- initial hypotheses about the nature and level of need
- background of the child - ethnic identity, home language
- the child’s early care/adverse life experiences
- the child’s current emotional well-being
- the kind of information that is desired
- the desired outcomes of the assessment
EPs are trained to select the most appropriate approach to assessment.
As part of this involvement, we may -
- talk with parents and/or other professionals who are involved with the child/young person.
- facilitate multi-agency consultation approaches.
- work with the adults involved in a child/young person’s life to support joint problem solving.
- observe the child/young person in the classroom.
- carry out activities with the child/young person to help understand their development in different areas.
- talk with the child/young person to get their ideas on how they learn best.
- we may then write a report that will be sent to parents, the school and any other relevant stakeholders
This will summarise the child/young person’s strengths and needs and suggest ways forward.
If you think your child requires involvement from Hull City Psychological Service, please share your concerns and requests with your child’s SENCo. We are unable to accept requests directly from parents or carers.