We help by building the skills and confidence of those involved with the child or young person, by using evidence-based psychological approaches.
Contactline is a ‘quick queries’ service for parents, carers, and young people (aged 16-25) where you can speak directly to an EP. You can call if you are a parent or carer of a Hertfordshire child or young person aged between 0-16 or if you are a young person aged between 16-25.
This telephone service is available for all Hertfordshire residents, regardless of whether the child or young person is on roll at a Hertfordshire educational setting.
What is an EP consultation?
EP consultation is one way in which the EP service supports schools and families to meet a child/young person's special educational needs. This is usually part of a school's Assess, Plan, Do, Review process.
EP consultation is a meeting at your child's school between you, the Class Teacher / Head of Year, the SENCo, and the EP. Sometimes a young person joins in too. During this meeting everyone will have the opportunity to share their knowledge, views and ideas. The EPs role is to guide the conversation, ask questions and support others to plan a way forward for the child / young person. The EP will use their knowledge of child development and psychological understanding to support the process.
Why do we use consultation?
Consultation is effective because it helps everyone to have a shared understanding of the issues, identifies small steps that are focussed on specific short term outcomes and by the end of the meeting participants know what they need to do to support the child/young person.
How can parents prepare for an EP consultation?
Consultations works best when adults come to the consultation well prepared and with relevant information.
Before the EP consultation, a member of school staff will have supported you to complete and sign a Service Request Form and an ISL Baseline Assessment Form. Copies of these will have been sent to the EP and read prior to the meeting.
If there is any additional information or documentation that you think is important to share with the EP, please bring this along with you.
If you have any questions or concerns before the meeting, please speak to the SENCo at your child's school.
What happens next?
During the consultation, notes will be taken as a record of the conversation and agreed ways forward. These notes will be stored electronically by the EP service, in accordance with HCC's policies and data protection requirements.
You will receive a copy of these notes following the consultation, however you are also welcome to take your own notes during the meeting.
A review date will be set approximately 6-8 weeks later which is usually attended by you and school staff. The review meeting is to discuss progress and the impact of the agreed ways forward. The SENCo will take and share notes from the Review meeting with the EP and, if necessary, further involvement from the EP service will then be discussed.