Understanding your child’s needs
- Who we support
- Children and young people, usually from the early years to 18, and young people up to 25
- Where we work
- Family and school visits in Leeds and across Yorkshire
If you’re concerned about your child’s learning or development, an educational psychologist can help you explore their strengths, needs and the support that may help. We work with families and educational settings, including special educational needs settings.
You may be looking for a clearer understanding of your child’s needs, advice for their school, or psychological evidence for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. You can contact us to talk through what you need.
Help with an EHC needs assessment
An EHC needs assessment is carried out by your local authority to understand your child’s education, health and care needs. It helps the authority decide whether an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is needed.
Find A Way provides educational psychology reports to inform that assessment. Our report offers psychological advice about your child’s needs and the support that may help them. It is one contribution to the process; it is not the complete statutory assessment or a guarantee of an EHCP.
We also offer support with EHC needs assessment applications, annual reviews and tribunals. The role you need us to take, availability and fees are discussed separately, so please tell us your stage in the process and any deadline when you enquire.
What happens when you enquire
Start with your questions
Tell us what you’d like help understanding, your area and any relevant deadline. You don’t need to send detailed or sensitive records with your first message.
Explore the right support
We’ll discuss your circumstances, the type of assessment or report, visits, availability and the information needed from you or your child’s setting.
Decide with a clear scope and fee
We’ll agree the work, timescale and total cost, including travel and any additional support, before you decide to book.
Report fees
| Written reports | |
|---|---|
| Report for an EHC needs assessment | £1,250 |
| Full educational psychology report | £1,000 |
Meet your psychologist
Dr Sophia Bentley
Educational and Child Psychologist
Sophia is Find A Way’s founder and has over 15 years’ experience working with local authorities, schools and communities. As a psychologist and a parent, she understands how overwhelming finding the right support can feel.
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an educational psychologist, registration number PYL37228.
Meet SophiaQuestions about EHCP reports
Can the local authority consider a private report?
Yes. You can submit a private report as evidence during an EHC needs assessment, and the local authority must consider it. This does not guarantee that an EHCP will be issued or that every recommendation will be adopted. Read IPSEA’s guidance on assessment evidence.
Is your report the same as an EHC needs assessment?
No. The local authority carries out the EHC needs assessment and gathers advice from several professionals. Our educational psychology report contributes psychological advice; it is not the full assessment or the plan itself. IPSEA explains what an EHC needs assessment involves.
Where can I find guidance about the process in Leeds?
Leeds SENDIASS explains the local EHC needs assessment process, including making a request, submitting evidence and what happens next. For families elsewhere in Yorkshire, your local SENDIASS service can explain the arrangements in your area.