EHCP Process - educational psychologist meeting and assessments

[ChangeYourStars]

Hi, I worked with my 6 year old son's school to submit an EHCP request to our local authority (LA). The LA has requested a meeting with my son and I to evaluate needs, further to that EHCP application. What advice do you have to navigate this meeting? What types of things is the psychologist looking for? Do I portray my son on his "worst day"? What happens next in the process?

Before replying further, can you clarify where you are in the process? Has the LA agreed to assess and the meeting you mention is the EP assessment as part of the needs assessment? Or has the LA not yet agreed to assess but want to meet with you before they decide that (not common but I have known it happen)?

Thank you for replying. It is the first option: "LA agreed to assess and the meeting you mention is the EP assessment as part of the needs assessment"

Ask the EP such as what assessments will be undertaken, what observations will be done (e.g. structured and unstructured times, with peers, with adults), will they meet with DS 1:1, how long they will spend with DS.

It can be helpful to make a timeline of events/any previous assessments, etc. Also think about making notes on things like developmental history, needs/difficulties, likes/dislikes/what makes DS happy, what support is already in place, what has previously been tried, what worked/didn’t work, what is needed but unable to be delivered, what is important to DS/you and what is important for DS, how DS communicates/how others communicate with him, aspirations, what you think DS needs, a bit about family/any other important people in DS’s life.

Explain what a ‘worst day’ looks like but don’t make out every day is a ‘worst day’ if that isn’t the case. Give an accurate picture of how DS presents.

Ask if the EP will make recommendations for the need for further assessments where they believe they are necessary - sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t.

At the end of the meeting, finish by asking them to ensure the report is detailed, specified and quantified and request they send you a copy of the report once it is written - you may receive push back on this, but if you request it, it should be done.