What Happens at a Private Educational Psychologist Assessment?

If you have booked — or are considering — a private educational psychologist (EP) assessment for your child, it helps to know what the process involves. Here is a clear guide to what you and your child can expect at each stage.

Before the Assessment

Most educational psychologists will ask you to complete a detailed background questionnaire before the appointment. This covers your child’s developmental history, early milestones, any previous diagnoses or assessments, school reports and teacher concerns, and your own observations about how your child is learning and coping. Being thorough and honest here helps the EP build a full picture before they meet your child.

It is also worth requesting any relevant documents from school — such as recent reports, SEND support plans, or previous assessment results — and sharing these with the EP in advance.

On the Day of the Assessment

A full EP assessment typically takes three to six hours, sometimes spread across two sessions. It takes place in a quiet, one-to-one setting. The session is designed to be relaxed and child-centred — educational psychologists are experienced at building rapport with children and young people of all ages.

The assessment usually includes:

• A brief conversation with your child to understand their own perspective on school and learning
• Standardised cognitive tests measuring verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, working memory, and processing speed
• Educational attainment tests in reading, writing, and numeracy
• Observation of how your child approaches tasks, manages frustration, and uses strategies when they get stuck
• Sometimes questionnaires completed by parents and teachers about your child’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing

After the Assessment

Once all the information has been gathered, the educational psychologist spends significant time analysing the data, integrating it with the background information, and writing a detailed report. This usually takes two to four weeks.

Most EPs will offer a feedback session once the report is ready, to walk you through the findings in plain language, answer your questions, and discuss how to use the report with school.

What Happens Next?

The EP report can be shared with your child’s school SENCO, used to support an EHC plan application, submitted to a SENDIST tribunal, or passed to other professionals involved in your child’s care. It is a working document — refer back to the recommendations regularly as your child’s needs and school provision develop.

To find a qualified educational psychologist near you, visit the SEND List guide to private educational psychologist assessments in the UK.