Private ed psych assessment?

[AuntPol]

I'm looking into getting a private ed psych assessment for DS2 (9). Mostly around language and processing issues, but also curious as to what else it might throw up (if anything).

Can anyone give me any pointers as to how I go about finding a good ed psych (London/Surrey)?

And do schools actually take any notice of a private report? (independent schools in particular).

Any help would be much appreciated.

Independent schools will - it might be worth asking if they have links to any ed psychs, as many do and it's helpful for them in the long run to have all reports written by one or two people who they also know and talk to. That if course assumes your school has a decent support unit who are capable of responding well to flagged issues.

I have had many EP reports as I have a child with SEN and a private report is essential for tribunals as you need an expert witness. However, I honestly wouldn't bother unless you are doing something like this. Schools do not give much credence to the reports and may well read it and then just carry on as they were. They are v expensive. If you have lots of money then fine, it may be useful for you, but otherwise don't bother. If you do want one, many people rave about Ruth Baumberg (may have name slightly wrong) but she is expensive and hard to get an appointment. I think it depends a lot on the disability or difficulty your child has.

My DS11 has recently had a private Ed Psych assessment. He is in an independent school, and they very much took notice as after years of saying that there was nothing wrong, he was just not very focussed, they have now got an IEP in place, he has 1:1 teaching, additional time for exams and could have a scribe (although we are working on his writing so hopefully he won't need one).

The lady we used was through the Helen Arkell Centre in Farnham. They would certainly cover your area.

The assessment was done in school and the school had to be involved in reporting issues they had encountered.

Yes, they do. The SEN at my daughter's independent school gave us some names of ed psychs they'd had reports from in the past. We gave the school a copy of the report once it was done and it resulted in our daughter getting extra time in her A level exams.

My DS had an assessment with ed psych a few years back, I think he was around 9 at the time, he had his at dyslexia action I think it was around £400. It gave us the answers we needed. If you have private medical insurance you may find most of the cost in covered by your plan.

It depends on the school. Some will, some won't. I would ask the independent school you are thinking of if they have someone they use- they are more likely to pay attention then.

Dyslexia Action have gone into Administration and are directing people to Helen Arkell or the British Dyslexia Association.

Meant to add that the secondary schools we have been looking at have all said to send them a copy of the Ed Psych report to help them assess if they can meet DS needs because he has a range of issues, none severe individually, but in combination causing a major impact on his progress. I wouldn't be willing to consider a school that was just going to disregard an assessment.

We found the first one through the school who had received a very comprehensive report about another pupil and more recently (as first had retired) through the Patoss website. The first did both LA and private work.

I can recommend Helen Arkell too.

Used to work in a local prep school and dealt a lot with SEN. They will definitely all take it into account and it's well worth getting if you can.

Wow, thank you everyone.

DS2 has been on school action plus (or whatever it's now called) since nursery, and has an IEP. He was seen by an ed psych at his current school in reception, or possibly even nursery. No update or reassessment since then.

1-2-1 support has dwindled to almost nothing over the years, which is mostly fine, as he's doing v well (extremely bright and performing above average in many areas) but we're looking at the transition to secondary school and I think there are things that will become more of an issue at secondary school.

We are thinking of going down the independent route, and have spoken to one potential school already, but it was just today that someone suggested maybe getting an ed psych report beforehand.

I think our chances of getting an up to date assessment through his current school in time (or at all...) are slim to none, hence thinking about the private route.

Thank you all for all the suggestions. That's a good idea about asking the independent school about their ed psych links, I hadn't thought of that. I shall also look into all the names mentioned.

AuntPol - I've msg'd you....

Thank you jng1

My kids are in the state sector and their state schools found their private Ed Psych reports very helpful. It was a very good investment.

Most independent schools will be able to suggest ED Psychs and they do very much take notice of what the report says and help implement support schemes based on the report as well as allowing extra time in exams if this is suggested.