What the EP visit is for, how to prepare, and why the report can matter for specialist school placement.
7 min read
An Educational Psychologist (EP) looks at how your child learns, communicates, copes, and takes part in school. They may observe your child, speak to staff, talk with you, and do short activities with your child. Their advice helps the local authority decide what support is needed in an EHCP.
The EP report can be one of the most important documents in the assessment. It should describe your child's needs and say what support is needed. If the report says your child needs specialist teaching, a quieter setting, therapy input, or a specialist placement, that can help when you ask for a special school to be named in Section I of the EHCP.
Write down the main things you want the EP to understand. Include what your child finds hard, what helps, what has already been tried, and what happens at home after a difficult school day. Share reports, behaviour logs, attendance records, examples of work, and any private assessments. Keep it short and clear if you can.
Ask the EP to be specific. Useful advice says what support is needed, how often it should happen, who should provide it, and what skills or training staff need. Vague wording such as 'access to support' is hard to enforce. Clear wording is easier to put into Section F of an EHCP.
Ask when the report will be ready and who will receive it. When you get it, check that it sounds like your child and that the recommendations are clear. If something important is missing, write to the local authority quickly and explain what needs adding or correcting.
Last reviewed: 18 June 2026
