Consultation and assessment

What does consultation and assessment involve?

Our team provide consultation which seeks to gather information, synthesise, select and address different ways of intervening, as appropriate to the needs and choices of the consultee. Our team members are knowledgeable and experienced in facilitating the process of consultation, but everyone involved in the consultation has unique expertise that contribute to the richness of the search for solutions.

As part of an assessment, educational psychologists (EPs) triangulate data/information from a variety of sources and a full range of evidence will be drawn upon. They typically involve a range of materials and reference to existing professional's reports and information.  Consultation/s will typically be held with parents/carers and settings. EPs will gain insights from persons who know the child well to gain an understanding of their presentation across contexts (e.g., school, home). In some cases, children will have had assessments and/or observations conducted by other professionals. Existing professional reports will often inform an EP's piece of work.

For more information about anything detailed on our webpages, including how education professionals can make a referral, please email the Psychology and Therapeutic Services team at psychology&therapeuticservices@suffolk.gov.uk.

Our consultation offer

Our main consultation offer includes the Analysis of Additional Needs Tool (AANT) and multi-professional Solution Circles, more information on these can be found by clicking the buttons below. Within our traded packages schools can request further individual consultation or consultation that considers wider school systems. 

Information about virtual consultations and assessments

Consultations and assessments can be carried out face to face in “real life” or using online/remote video platforms. Our team of educational psychologists (EPs) can be flexible in choice of approach to an assessment in line with AEP (Association of Educational Psychology) guidance. EPs are informed by professional guidance on conducting assessments in person and virtually. The arrangements for an assessment are a professional judgement, made by an EP, taking into consideration the needs, views and preferences of the child/young person, their parents/carers and the demands of the local context.

Regardless of the mode of assessment chosen by an EP, high professional standards will always be upheld. All EP assessments must comply with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional standards and take account of British Psychological Society (BPS) codes of ethical practice. All EP advice is GDPR compliant, and quality assured to ensure robust psychological advice is provided. A virtual assessment is fully Code of Practice compliant, and literature indicates that online methods are effective (see reference list) and may be easier for some children and families to participate in this way.

Any limitations to an EP assessment will be stated in the report.