Independent educational psychology for EHCP transfer review

[secular39]

Hello everyone,

I have been here for many years but have changed my username.

One of my DC's (age 11) attend an independent special school but I am unsure if he should continue there for secondary. At the present moment, my DC is complaining that he finds school boring. The school is lovely but academic achievements are very low-- they are other concerns but wish not to out myself.

My DC is above average intelligence, has severe S&L but is functioning at a year 1/year 2 level at his school.

Currently, I'm looking for a change of placement but some schools have not accepted him and/or schools have refused parents to visit due to Covid. At the moment, the only think I could do to see if his provision needs to be changed as I believe he is now making very little progress.

We have instructed an private SLT and OT but having trouble finding an independent educational psychologist. Most of the known ones are now charging extortionate prices (think £2000 plus!) and can only offer zoom assessments- which would not suit my DC. I have found a few who can do face to face assessments but all of them would not visit his school- and I wanted them to visit the school to see if they are meeting his needs.

I don't know what to do. Should I do a face to face assessment with an Ed psychologist even though they would not be able to visit his school..or is it best to keep looking for an Ed psychologist who can do school visits. Right now. I'm at loss. If anyone can recommend a good Ed psychologist please let me know. But we have tried the bigger name Ed psych already and most are heavily booked up

Even if you find an EP that is willing to go in to school will the school allow them to visit at the moment?

Have you not already had a transfer review? EHCPs have to be amended by 15th February for secondary transfers.

Thank you 10greembrokenbottles.

That's a true point. Probably not. We had the EHCP review and the LA has sent the draft and I've made changes. But I am going to appeal the content regardless

Phew! I was thinking your LA were doing their own thing.

I would just get an EP who could assess as best as possible. Realistically it is going to be a while before EPs can assess unrestrained. If they did assess in school it's unlikely to be normal, and even if things were normal if the school are that way inclined they may put on a show and the EP may not get a true picture.

I used Dr Bev Steffert. she is a chartered and neuropsychologist.

EPs seem to be way too expensive.

canon2020 how did you find Dr Bev?

Really good.

In our case, the LA EP accepted her report without any issue. I felt she wrote a really good report.

As she is not an EP she did not comment on things like curriculum differentiation etc. But that did not matter for us as the LA EP dealt with that.

www.learningrecovery.co.uk/about/

www.educationalneurocare.co.uk/index.shtml

I forgot to mention she is also very reasonable with her fees.

Oh, and I found her mentioned either in a post on MN or NM and got in touch with her. I can't recall.