Written by Christina Boman-Markaki, reviewed by the Find Care Compare team · Last updated September 2026
Where to start: what does your child need?
- Suspect dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia or a similar difficulty? You likely need a specialist assessment from an HCPC-registered educational psychologist or a SASC-accredited specialist teacher-assessor.
- Need extra help day-to-day at school? Speak to the SENCO, ALNCo or equivalent - this doesn't require a diagnosis. It's called SEN support in England and Northern Ireland, Additional Learning Needs (ALN) support in Wales, and Additional Support Needs (ASN) support in Scotland.
- Needs seem to go beyond what the school can provide alone? Look at the statutory route: an EHC plan (England), IDP (Wales), CSP (Scotland) or Statement (Northern Ireland).
- Need exam access arrangements? A diagnosis alone isn't enough - arrangements depend on evidence the school gathers over time, not just an assessment report.
An educational needs assessment isn't one single process. It can mean a specialist diagnostic assessment for a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, a statutory needs assessment for a legally binding plan such as an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or an application for exam access arrangements - each with its own framework, qualifications and decision-maker. Support in school is a separate, usually faster route that sits below all three. This guide sets out how to work out which one your child needs, who's qualified to carry it out, and the steps worth taking before commissioning a private assessment.
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What an educational needs assessment might cover
Depending on what's being investigated, an educational needs assessment might look at:
- Dyslexia / specific learning difficulty (SpLD) - reading, spelling and literacy fluency.
- Dyscalculia - number and mathematical processing.
- Dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) - motor coordination, handwriting and organisation.
- Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including developmental language disorder.
- A broader cognitive or learning profile, sometimes alongside an ADHD or autism assessment.
These can also sit alongside ADHD and autism assessments - a child may need more than one, and the right one depends on the specific question being asked.
A private assessment report does not on its own guarantee extra time or other exam access arrangements. Under the rules of the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), which cover GCSEs, A-levels and similar qualifications, decisions depend on evidence of need and the student's normal way of working, gathered by the school over time - so if exam arrangements are the goal, the school has to be involved from the outset.
Who's qualified to assess your child
- Educational psychologist - must be HCPC-registered (a legally protected title). Check the HCPC register.
- Specialist teacher-assessor - look for a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), recognised by the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC). Search the SASC directory.
- DCD or a language disorder - these are usually diagnosed through health services (a paediatrician, occupational therapist or speech and language therapist) rather than an SpLD assessor.
Whoever you book with, ask what qualification they hold, whether they're HCPC-registered or currently hold an APC, and what the resulting report can be used for - a diagnostic assessment, a report for school provision and a report for JCQ exam access arrangements aren't automatically the same document.
Speak to the school before you pay for anything
- Ask the SENCO, ALNCo or equivalent what difficulties they're observing and what support is already in place.
- Ask what evidence they already have - teacher observations, reading/spelling assessments, samples of written work - which can save money and speed up any later assessment.
- Decide the specific question you're trying to answer before booking - dyslexia, dyspraxia, a broader profile - since that determines who to book with.
- If exam access arrangements are the goal, confirm the school will be involved in gathering evidence from the start.
If school support isn't enough: EHCP, IDP, CSP and Statement of SEN
Where a child's needs go beyond what a school can provide alone, they may be entitled to a legally binding plan. The system and terminology differ by nation:
| Nation | Term used | Statutory plan | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | SEN support | Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan | GOV.UK / IPSEA |
| Wales | Additional Learning Needs (ALN) | Individual Development Plan (IDP) | Welsh Government |
| Scotland | Additional Support Needs (ASN) | Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP), for complex needs only | Enquire |
| Northern Ireland | SEN | Statement of Special Educational Needs | nidirect |
In England, request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority's SEND team. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, the local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, and the full process is meant to take no more than 20 weeks. In Northern Ireland, the current Statement process has a 26-week timescale; the Department of Education confirmed in June 2026 that a new, faster SEN framework has been delayed to at least September 2027. A plan doesn't transfer automatically if a family moves within the UK; the receiving authority will usually need to reassess against its own framework.
What it costs, and where to get free advice
Private SpLD assessments typically cost £350-£800; assessments involving an educational psychologist or a wider cognitive profile often cost more. NHS and school routes are free but can involve long waits. Free, independent advice is available from IPSEA (England), SNAP Cymru (Wales), Enquire (Scotland) and the Children's Law Centre (Northern Ireland). Each nation also has its own tribunal if you want to appeal a decision - these services can point you to the right one.
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Frequently asked questions
Sources
Qualifications and regulators:
Exam access arrangements:
By nation:
- GOV.UK: children with special educational needs and disabilities (England)
- IPSEA (England)
- Welsh Government: ALN overview (Wales)
- SNAP Cymru (Wales)
- Enquire (Scotland)
- nidirect: special educational needs (Northern Ireland)
- Department of Education: new SEN framework (Northern Ireland)
- Department of Education: SEN Regulations delay announcement (Northern Ireland)