What Is the Role of the Educational Psychologist in an EHC Needs Assessment?

What the psychological advice covers

The Educational Psychologist's advice is expected to describe:

• The child or young person's special educational needs, described clearly and in detail
• The strengths, interests and views of the child or young person
• The special educational provision required to meet those needs, specified and quantified where possible
• The outcomes that provision should be helping the child work towards

How the advice is gathered

Advice is not written from paperwork alone. It normally involves consultation with parents and carers, discussion with school staff, observation in the setting where possible, direct work with the child, and assessment chosen to answer the specific questions raised.

The child or young person's own voice matters here. Their experience of school, of learning, and of the relationships around them often explains far more than test scores do.

Independent advice

Parents can commission an independent Educational Psychologist alongside or instead of relying solely on local authority advice. Families often do this when:

• They want a fuller picture before requesting an assessment
• They disagree with the provision described in a draft plan
• They are preparing for a SEND tribunal
• They simply want a clearer understanding of their child's needs

An independent report follows the same statutory framework, and should be equally clear about needs, provision and outcomes so that it can be used directly in the plan.