In short
- You don’t need a private report to ask for an assessment or get an EHCP.
- The council must get advice from an educational psychologist and other professionals itself, at no cost to you.
- A private report can help when council reports are vague, missing or out of date, and is often used at appeal.
You don’t need a private assessment to get an EHCP. The council must get the advice it needs itself, free of charge. A private report can help when council advice is vague, missing or out of date, and is often used at appeal.
What the council must do
During an EHC needs assessment, the council must get advice from, among others, an educational psychologist, health professionals and your child’s school (regulation 6 of the SEND Regulations 2014). It pays for all of this.
When a private report can help
- The council’s reports are vague, for example they don’t say how much therapy your child needs.
- An important need hasn’t been assessed, such as speech and language or sensory needs.
- You are appealing to the SEND Tribunal and need expert evidence.
- The council’s reports are old and your child’s needs have changed.
What kind of professional?
- Educational psychologist for learning, cognitive and emotional needs
- Speech and language therapist for communication and understanding
- Occupational therapist for sensory, motor and daily living needs
Check they are registered: psychologists and therapists should be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
What to ask for in a private report
Ask the professional to recommend specific support, with who gives it, how often and for how long. A report that says “would benefit from therapy” is far less useful than “needs 1 hour a week of direct therapy from a qualified therapist”.
Cost
Private reports can cost from several hundred to over a thousand pounds. Some charities offer help with costs. Before paying, ask whether the professional has experience of EHCPs and appeals.
Does the council have to accept a private report?
The council must consider any evidence you give it. It doesn’t have to agree with it, but it should explain why if it disagrees. At appeal, the tribunal weighs all the evidence, including private reports.
Questions parents ask
Does the council have to read a private report?
Yes. The council must consider evidence you send and share it with the professionals it asks for advice.
Who should write a private report?
A qualified professional registered with the right body. For example, educational psychologists and speech and language therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Will the council pay for a private report?
Usually not. The council pays for advice it asks for. Reports you arrange privately are paid for by you.
