Are other special services available after my child has been assessed?
If assessment suggests that your child’s special educational needs are not particularly significant, it may be enough for the educational psychologist to help in the design of a suitable education plan. If your child’s special educational needs are more marked, the educational psychologist may make a referral to other NEELB support services to provide longer-term help with the Education Plan. For example, a pre-schooler may qualify for teaching at home or a school-aged child may qualify for help from the NEELB’s Literacy Teaching and Support Service (LTSS) or the NEELB’s Behaviour Support Service.
If your child’s special educational needs are particularly significant, then the educational psychologist may recommend that you consider the NEELB undertaking a statutory assessment of these needs. If you agree and your child is a pre-schooler, then the psychologist will make the necessary request. If you agree and your child is a school pupil, the statutory assessment will be requested by the school’s principal.
The step-up to statutory assessment is only taken if it seems that existing resources to meet your child’s special educational needs are not enough. The statutory assessment is designed to secure and to safeguard the resources necessary to meet your child’s special educational needs.
If the educational psychologist knows of local services or agencies that may be able to help you with non-educational problems your child is facing or family problems other than those associated with your child, s/he may suggest referral to such professionals. However, s/he will not act in this way without your approval.
