Sarah and Hamish's story

"During his early months, Hamish wasn't doing all the things my older daughter had done. He had some seizures when he was about 7 months old, and we were admitted into hospital to see a neurologist. She realised he wasn't reaching the usual baby milestones and diagnosed microcephaly with global developmental delay. She told me he was unlikely to walk, talk or go to a mainstream school which were things I was concerned about. 

"Whilst in the hospital we were also seen by geneticists, physios, and others. All sorts of different people were coming and going, I had no real idea who anybody was or what they were doing. I was just a mum trying to look after my son. It was a bewildering time and it's only looking back that I realise what a different world I was entering. 

"Hamish had some portage input at our local early year's centre. When he was ready to start nursery our portage contact suggested that we get a statement (now known as an EHCP). At our next session we had the assessment.  

"I was so lucky to get that appointment, but I had no idea what a statement was. What I would suggest to EPs is that parents may need their hand holding as they navigate the system, and they may not understand why you are there and what you are assessing the child for. If they are anything like me, they won't be aware of the process and the procedures to be followed.  

"The EP was lovely, I'll always remember her name and she was such a supportive person. I'm very grateful to her for her kindness and patience with me. 

"I was so lucky, as the next term Hamish got one to one support to attend nursery. I've got friends who couldn't get an EP assessment in our area, and they had to go privately.  

"Hamish went into mainstream primary school after that until year 2 when the school said they could no longer support him. Then he went to a separate speech and language unit in a mainstream school until the end of Year 6. From there he went into a specialist secondary school.  

"Now Hamish is 18 and it's a worrying time. He has lots of additional needs and I'm more aware of them now. There has been quite clear path up for him until this point but now it seems as if his future is on a cliff-edge. We are looking at colleges at the moment but have no idea if the local authority will support his choice, and I don't know if he will need another EHCP. Given the backlog at the moment I hope he doesn't."  

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. 

You can support the campaign by writing to your MP.