Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1)

When considering whether to work with any professional, you most likely have lots of questions, and rightly so. In this series of blogs, we will be answering some of the most common questions put to us, to help you make an informed decision about whether we’re a good fit for you and your child. We believe in absolute transparency and that’s why we cut the generic blurb and get to the point. Simple. Quick. Accessible.

In this blog we look at the geographical areas we cover, the difference between our Enhanced and SENDIST packages, and our bespoke service offer.

Do you offer services in my area?

We have worked throughout the United Kingdom, from Cardiff to East Anglia and from the south coast to Northumberland. In fact, we cover almost 90% of the UK, offering both in-person and remote assessments, expert witness testimony, and therapy. We do not currently offer any services in the East or West Midlands (with the exception of Lincolnshire), Berkshire, or the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston-upon-Thames, or Richmond-upon-Thames.

Enhanced or SENDIST packages, what is the difference?

We are often asked what the difference is between our Enhanced and SENDIST packages. Here we will explain the similarities and differences between the two so you can decide which one is best for you. We have published a quick reference comparison guide too.

The short answer

If you would like to use the report for a SENDIST appeal, then you will need the SENDIST package.

Can I submit the Enhanced report as evidence to tribunal?

Yes, of course you can. But it will not be court compliant and we do not offer expert witness testimony in these cases. We provide a clear disclaimer on Enhanced reports so that the reader is aware the report does not comply to the relevant legal standards.

So is there a big difference between an Enhanced and SENDIST assessment and report?

Absolutely. In short, SENDIST assessments and reports comply with the legal rules and procedures known generally as CPR35 (or Part 35). These rules are added to and changed from time to time and in relation to branches of law. Most recently and relevant here, was the SENDIST Practice Direction 1 of 2025.

Unlike other psychology services, we provide our SENDIST clients with two reports. The first is a comprehensive report which is a detailed account of the child’s needs, how these have come to be, and how they must best be met. Client’s tell us that this is helpful during discussions of the working document and, often, it is the first time they have had such a detailed explanation of their child’s needs. We believe that information is power and that transparency is essential to partnership working. This is exactly what our reports provide. A typical comprehensive report for SENDIST runs to around 60-80-pages, sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more.

The second is a shorter summary report (maximum of 15-pages) which captures all the essential details of the comprehensive report. In April 2025, new SENDIST rules meant that professional reports could no longer exceed 15-pages. We faced a choice, to either write a naturally limited report, or continue to provide the same depth and breadth in our reports but issue a second summary. This is a unique service that we believe is unmatched by any other service.

Our SENDIST assessments and reports also uniquely offer:

• A named consultant educational and child psychologist who has specialist training to provide expert witness testimony. This psychologist will consider all your evidence meticulously and provide an unbiased, evidence-based, and honest opinion with a healthy dose of compassion and kindness.

• Report written to your specific instruction (questions), including Section I.

• We hold our hearing date for free if required. And you can cancel up to 72-hours before the hearing, without charge.

• One-hour free post-assessment consultation (worth £120). Plus, free telephone and email support from your psychologist from commission and for up to three months post-assessment.

• Booking flexibility (including evening and weekend availability, if required).

• Flexibility to write either setting-based or EOTIS provision, including costings and mock timetable as necessary.

• 10% discount on follow-up interventions or co-production meeting attendance.

And how is this different from the Enhanced assessment?

Enhanced assessments are designed for requests made for an Education, Health, and Care Plan needs assessment (EHCNA), second opinions, Annual Reviews, and similar complex situations. These assessments and reports broadly follow the Code of Practice headings. Importantly, these reports are not court compliant and do not include anything covered specifically by our SENDIST assessments and reports outlined above. In some circumstances, however, these can be added at an additional fee (e.g., if you wish to have a further scheduled consultation, you may add this at our usual hourly fee).

So what is included in the Enhanced assessment and report?

The Enhanced assessments are comprehensive and will lead to a clear, evidence-based, report which can be used to understand, plan, and resolve complex situations. Reports typically run to 40-60 pages. They include a detailed summary of need (Section B), co-constructed outcomes (Section E), and specific and quantified provision (Section F).

Our assessments include a named psychologist who will be your point of contact throughout. We do not employ assistant or trainee psychologists, just qualified, experienced, educational and child psychologists. You will have access to free telephone and email support from commission and up to three months post-assessment. You will also benefit from a centralised and fully coordinated process led by our PA, Patience, and free lifetime access to our online resource bank. Please read our full T&Cs and Services and Fees list for full details and exclusions.

Can you tell me the key differences again?

Sure. So, if you are going to tribunal (or think this is very likely), then we recommend the SENDIST package. This gives you all the standard features of the Enhanced assessment, plus:

• A detailed comprehensive report, plus a compliant summary.

• A named and highly specialist psychologist trained in expert witness testimony.

• One-hour free post-assessment consultation.

• Flexibility in booking including some evenings and weekends where necessary.

• Meticulous review of all pre-existing evidence.

• Flexibility to write to setting-based or EOTIS provision.

• Option to ask us to respond to specific questions. This includes Section I which can include a suitability review.

• 10% discount on follow-up interventions or co-production meeting attendance, if booked within three months of the original assessment.

These elements are not part of the Enhanced assessments but, in most cases, may be purchased at an additional cost.

What is the price difference between an Enhanced and SENDIST package?

There is a lot of extra work and risk involved with a SENDIST package and so the price is £1995 including VAT plus expenses. The Enhanced package is £1595 including VAT plus expenses. 

There are lots of ways to keep costs low. For example, we offer a 5% discount when you book two or more assessments with us at the same time. We offer a limited number of fee concessions per year on our Enhanced packages only, contact us to find out more. We offer a limited number of Legal Aid Agency (LAA) funded cases per year, contact your solicitor to discuss working with us. We are also planning special discounts for those who are referred through our trusted partner organisations.

Please remember that these are two different packages for two different purposes. Still not sure? Then contact us and we will be more than happy to help!

I have a specific request not shown on your website. Can you help?

We often provide bespoke services designed around what you need. For example, we can provide desktop reports (i.e., reports based on paperwork alone), hybrid assessments (i.e., partly remote, partly in-person), ‘upgrade’ options where a tribunal is anticipated but not yet ‘live’, and if you only require a short SENDIST compliant report (and not the full, comprehensive version) we can even adapt packages and offer a discount.

We also offer a wide range of bespoke options from guaranteed expedited reports to suitability checks, and more. See our Services and Fees list for full details. The service you want still not listed? No problem, get in touch and we will be more than happy to discuss your specific requirements and build a support package that is ‘you-shaped’.