Getting a Private Ed Psychologist Assessment

What they do

An educational psychologist (EP) is a trained professional who works with children and young people who are having difficulties with learning. They can:

• Assess how your child learns — their strengths and the areas where they find things harder
• Identify specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, dyscalculia, or processing difficulties
• Recommend what kind of support would help your child at school and at home
• Write reports that can be used in EHCP applications, annual reviews, or school meetings

Qualifications to look for

A real educational psychologist must have:

• A Doctorate in Educational Psychology (or a Master's degree if they qualified before 2006)
• HCPC registration — this is a legal requirement. "Educational Psychologist" is a protected title. It is against the law to use it without being registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Some EPs also have Chartered Psychologist status (CPsychol) from the British Psychological Society (BPS). This is an extra mark of professional standing, though it is not legally required.

How the council EP service works

Every local council employs educational psychologists as part of their SEN service. Council EPs:

• Are allocated to schools in their area, usually for a set number of days per term
• Are accessed through the school's SENCO — parents cannot usually book a council EP directly
• Focus mainly on children going through the EHCP process

The council EP service is free. For many families, it works well. If your child is being assessed for an EHCP, the council will arrange an EP as part of that process.

Why some families consider a private EP

There is a well-known shortage of educational psychologists across England. In 2024, the Local Government Ombudsman reported that 96% of local councils said EP shortages were affecting children. Some families have waited many months for an assessment.

Common reasons families look into a private EP include:

• Long waiting times — the school's EP time for the term has been used up, or the council has a backlog
• Wanting to understand their child's needs sooner — a private EP can usually see your child within a few weeks
• Gathering evidence for an EHCP request — a private EP report can support your application
• A second opinion — if you feel the council EP's findings do not fully reflect your child's difficulties
• The school does not share your concerns — a private assessment gives you an independent, professional view

Before the assessment

The EP will usually:

• Have a phone call or meeting with you to understand your concerns and your child's history
• Ask you to fill in background questionnaires
• Contact your child's school (with your permission) to get the SENCO's view
• Review any existing reports, school records, or medical information you share

The assessment itself

The EP will spend time with your child — usually 2 to 4 hours, sometimes across two sessions. They will use a mix of activities and tests to understand how your child thinks and learns. This typically includes:

• Thinking and reasoning tests — how your child processes information, solves problems, and remembers things (common tests include the WISC-V or BAS-3)
• Reading, writing, and maths tests — to see how your child is doing compared to other children their age
• Observation — some EPs will visit the school to see your child in the classroom (this may be a separate visit)
• Talking with your child — understanding how they feel about school and learning

The assessments are designed to be child-friendly. A good EP will make your child feel comfortable and will explain things in a way they understand.

The report

After the assessment, the EP writes a detailed report (usually 15–30 pages). This is delivered within 2 to 4 weeks and covers:

• Your child's strengths and the areas where they need support
• Test results explained in plain language
• What the results mean for your child's learning
• Specific recommendations — what kind of support your child needs, how often, and from whom

A good report will give clear, specific recommendations — for example, "20 minutes of daily 1:1 reading support" rather than just "some extra help with literacy."

Private EP assessments are a significant cost. It is worth understanding what you are paying for so you can make the right decision for your family.

Typical costs (2025/2026)

Costs based on published prices from multiple UK EP practices (2025/2026). London prices tend to be 20–40% higher. Always confirm the total cost directly with the EP before booking.

What can affect the price

• Location — London and the South East tend to be more expensive
• How detailed the assessment is — an EHCP-focused report takes more time than a screening
• Travel — some EPs charge for travel time and mileage if they visit the school
• School observation — often an extra cost if not included in the main assessment

A private EP assessment is a big expense, and it is not always easy to find financial help. But there are some options worth knowing about.

Free routes first

Before paying privately, it is worth exploring these free options:

• Ask the school to request a council EP through their allocated time
• Request an EHC needs assessment directly from your council — you do not need an EP report to do this, and it is the council's responsibility to arrange an EP as part of that process
• If you are appealing to the SEND Tribunal, the Tribunal can direct the council to obtain EP evidence

Charitable help

• Parents in Need — a small charity that specifically funds EP and other professional reports for families who cannot afford them. You must apply before commissioning the report. Email info@parentsinneed.org — parentsinneed.org
• Caudwell Children — provides assessments and support for disabled children. Household income must be under £45,000. Applications go through a professional. — caudwellchildren.com
• Turn2Us — search their grants database to find local and national grants you may be eligible for — turn2us.org.uk
• Local charities and community groups — some Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and local charities offer one-off grants. Ask your SENDIASS if they know of any in your area

Legal aid

Legal aid for SEND cases is available through a route called Exceptional Case Funding (ECF). If you qualify, ECF can cover the cost of an EP report as part of a SEND Tribunal appeal.

Eligibility is based on income — broadly, gross monthly income under £2,657 and savings under £8,000. You can check your eligibility on gov.uk.

Contact the Civil Legal Advice helpline on 0345 345 4345 to find out if you qualify.

Where to search

• HCPC Register — check that any EP you are considering is registered. This is the most important check. — hcpc-uk.org
• BPS Find a Psychologist — search for Chartered Psychologists by area and specialism — bps.org.uk
• AChiPPP (Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice) — members are all HCPC-registered or BPS Chartered — achippp.org.uk
• Parents in Need — maintains a list of vetted EPs — parentsinneed.org
• Your local SENDIASS may also be able to suggest EPs who work in your area

Questions to ask before you book

A good EP will be happy to answer these questions:

• Are you registered with the HCPC? (You can check this yourself at hcpc-uk.org)
• Do you have experience with children who have needs similar to my child's?
• What does the assessment involve and how long does it take?
• Is the written report included in the fee?
• What is the total cost, including any travel or school observation?
• How long after the assessment will I receive the report?
• Will your report include specific recommendations for what support my child needs?
• Do you have experience writing reports for EHCP applications or annual reviews?

Checklist before you book

• HCPC registration confirmed (search the online register yourself)
• Clear total cost agreed in writing, including what is and is not included
• Written report is included in the fee
• The EP has experience with your child's age group and type of needs
• You understand what the assessment will involve
• You know when you will receive the report

This is one of the most common questions parents ask. The short answer is: yes, the council is expected to consider it.

What this means for you

• The council is not expected to have a blanket policy of setting aside private EP reports
• A private report has the same legal standing as a council-commissioned report
• It is the council's responsibility to share your report with all the professionals involved in the assessment
• If the council disagrees with the report, they are expected to explain why with evidence
• If your child's case goes to the SEND Tribunal, the Tribunal treats private and council reports equally

How to make sure your report is taken seriously

• Use an EP who is HCPC-registered (this is essential)
• Make sure the report includes specific, measurable recommendations — not vague suggestions
• If the report is for an EHCP application, the EP should understand the format and what Section B and Section F need to cover
• Submit the report formally to the council with a cover letter, asking them to consider it as part of the assessment
• IPSEA has a helpful template letter for this: IPSEA — Asking for an EHC needs assessment

Whether you are thinking about a private EP or have already had an assessment, these organisations can help you understand your options and next steps — all for free.

Disclaimer: This guide is for information only. It is not legal advice. The law described applies to England only (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems). Costs are based on published prices at the time of writing and may change. If you need advice about your specific situation, contact IPSEA, your local SENDIASS, or a solicitor who specialises in education law. This guide was last reviewed in April 2026.