Julia's story

"We were given a private consultation for my son with an Educational Psychologist (EP) by the primary school, which they paid for. The EP had been used by them for around 20 years with the Local Authority. When the school applied for a needs assessment in June on our behalf, we were given a refusal to assess from the Local Authority (LA). This was despite the teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO) and the head teacher all saying that my son needs the assessment and further support.  

"I then had to step in and fight for my son and went to tribunal in October. The LA did concede however, but they didn't do anything until December only for them to tell me that we needed an EP. I told them that we've got one. The LA said it was statutory and that they had to do it.  

"I couldn't understand why the school's EP wasn't sufficient. The LA claimed the EP hadn't put his educational needs under the four areas of education. They were all in there but just not under the right categories. So, I said 'fine, it'll be nice to have another one', I've got nothing to fear about having these assessments.  

"In late December, the LA sent in an EP into the school who carried out the assessment and she got it through the system before the Christmas holidays.  

"The LA is disingenuous, in their first draft of the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) they didn't put my son's needs under the four areas of educational needs. This was the same reason they insisted on having an assessment themselves, so it's untrue and dishonest.  

"We had two EPs one who was private and one who was working for a neighbouring LA. They were both excellent. Their reports both said pretty similar things.  

"In many ways, we didn't have any issue in accessing an EP, but the LA weaponised it. They rejected a private EP assessment, the first time that EP had been rejected in 20 years. Why did they then insist on another one, which caused yet another delay? Why did they not use the reason that they'd had it done? It's laughable really. It felt like it was them using me for their own end which is despicable. 

"It's rocky road to be on and a mess, and I can't wait to be out of it".  

Support our campaign

Charlotte and Connor's story highlights the challenges parents and carers experience when they are seeking additional educational support for their child, and need access to an educational psychologist. 

Find out more about our campaign for more educational psychologists in local authorities.