When your child is struggling at school, you often hear a wall of job titles. Educational psychologist. SALT. OT. Advocate. SENCO. It is a lot when you are already tired and worried.
This guide keeps it simple. It explains who each professional is, in plain words, what they actually do, when you might need them, and how to find the right one. It also covers the NHS route versus paying privately, what costs to expect, and the questions to ask before you commit any money.
You do not need all of these people. Most families need one or two at a time. The aim here is to help you spot which one fits the problem in front of you right now.
If you want a fast way to see where your child stands and what help they may be entitled to, the free SEND Rights Quiz is a good first step.
Start with the people who are already involved
Before you pay for anything, use the support that already exists around your child.
The SENCO
The SENCO is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator at your child’s school. This is a member of staff responsible for the day-to-day running of SEN support across the school. The role is set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015, the statutory government guidance schools must follow. In maintained mainstream schools and mainstream academies the SENCO must be a qualified teacher, and a newly appointed SENCO must achieve the national SENCO qualification within three years of taking up the role.
What the SENCO does for your child:
- Helps identify needs and put SEN support in place
- Coordinates extra help and tracks how your child is doing
- Talks to outside professionals like therapists and psychologists
- Works with you as a parent and keeps records of support
When to go to them: first, almost always. If you have concerns, ask for a meeting with the SENCO. They are your route into school-based support, and they can request involvement from the NHS or the Local Authority’s services.
SENDIASS and IPSEA: free, expert help
Two services give parents free advice, and you should use them before spending money.
SENDIASS stands for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service. Every Local Authority in England must provide one. It is free, impartial and confidential, and it can explain the system, your rights and your options.
IPSEA stands for the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. It is a national charity that gives free, legally based advice on education issues linked to your child’s SEND, through its advice line and free downloadable guides.
These two should be your foundation. Paid help is sometimes worth it, but free expert advice comes first.
The professionals you might pay for or be referred to
SEND advocate or adviser
A SEND advocate (sometimes called a SEND adviser or consultant) is someone who helps you navigate the system and speak up for your child. The role is not a regulated profession, so backgrounds and skills vary a lot.
What they can do:
- Explain the EHCP process and your rights
- Help you write requests, gather evidence and prepare for meetings
- Attend meetings with you or on your behalf
- Support you through mediation or a SEND Tribunal appeal
When you might need one: if you feel out of your depth, if the Local Authority has refused something, or if you are heading towards a dispute and want someone steady in your corner.
Important: because anyone can call themselves an advocate, check experience and fees carefully. For formal legal questions, SENDIASS and IPSEA are free and reliable.
Educational psychologist (EP)
An educational psychologist looks at how your child learns, thinks and copes, and what is getting in the way. They use observation, talking with your child, and structured assessments, then write a report with clear recommendations.
EPs matter because their report is a key piece of evidence in an EHC needs assessment (the formal check the Local Authority does to decide if your child needs an Education, Health and Care Plan). When a Local Authority carries out that assessment, the law requires it to seek psychological advice and information from an educational psychologist.
There are two routes:
- NHS or Local Authority EP: arranged through school or as part of an EHC needs assessment. There is no charge to you, but availability can be limited and waits can be long in some areas.
- Independent EP: you pay privately. They are not tied to Local Authority budgets, can often assess sooner, and you choose who to instruct.
You do not have to get a private EP report before asking for an EHC needs assessment. Many families get one anyway, for a faster or independent view.
The title “educational psychologist” is protected by law. Anyone using it must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can check the register free at hcpc-uk.org before you book.
Speech and language therapist (SALT or SLT)
A speech and language therapist helps children with communication: understanding language, talking, social communication, and also eating, drinking and swallowing. Around 60% of speech and language therapists in the UK’s professional body work with children and young people.
When to consider one: if your child is late to talk, hard to understand, struggles to follow instructions, finds conversation or social communication hard, or has feeding or swallowing difficulties.
Routes:
- NHS: referral through your GP, health visitor or school. It is free, though waiting times vary widely by area.
- Independent: you pay for assessment and therapy, usually with a shorter wait.
“Speech and language therapist” is also an HCPC-protected title, so check the register before engaging anyone privately.
Occupational therapist (OT)
An occupational therapist helps children take part in the everyday activities that matter to them: at home, at school and at play. For children, that often means fine motor skills (like handwriting and using cutlery), gross motor skills and coordination, self-care like dressing, and sensory processing needs.
When to consider one: if your child finds handwriting, dressing or coordination very hard, or if they are very sensitive to noise, touch, movement or busy environments in a way that affects daily life.
Routes are the same as for speech therapy: NHS referral (free, variable waits) or independent (paid, usually quicker). “Occupational therapist” is an HCPC-protected title too, so you can verify anyone on the register.
NHS versus private: how to think about it
The NHS route is free and the reports carry weight, but in many areas the wait can be long. The private route costs money but is usually faster, and you choose the professional.
You do not have to pick only one. Many families use NHS support and pay privately for one specific assessment when timing is tight, for example before an EHC deadline or a tribunal hearing.
What about costs?
Costs vary a lot, and any honest answer depends on the professional, where you live and what is involved. We will not quote a single figure as if it were fixed, because it is not.
To give a sense of scale for an independent educational psychologist, one UK provider’s published 2026 prices were £900 for a standard assessment and £1,360 for an assessment designed to support an EHC needs assessment. That is one example, not a benchmark. Other providers charge less or more, and some bill per hour or per session rather than a fixed fee. Speech therapy and occupational therapy are often priced per assessment and then per session, and prices differ widely. Always get a quote in writing for your own situation.
Before you pay anything:
- Ask for the full price in writing, including the report and any travel or extras
- Ask exactly what you get (assessment, written report, recommendations, follow-up)
- Ask how long the report will take
- Ask whether the report is suitable as evidence for an EHC needs assessment or tribunal, if that is your aim
If money is tight, remember SENDIASS and IPSEA are free, and your child may be able to access NHS therapy and a Local Authority EP at no cost.
Questions to ask before you engage anyone
Use this short checklist whoever you are considering:
- Are you registered with the HCPC, if your role is protected (EP, SALT, OT)? What is your registration number?
- How much experience do you have with my child’s type of need and age?
- What exactly is included, and what is the total cost?
- How long until I get the assessment and the written report?
- Will the report meet the standard needed for an EHC needs assessment or tribunal, if that is my goal?
- Can you share an example report or references?
A good professional will answer these calmly and clearly. Vagueness about price, scope or qualifications is a reason to pause.
How SEN Help can help you find the right person
Knowing who you need is half the job. Finding a trusted person is the other half.
Our Find an Expert directory lists SEND professionals so you can browse advocates, educational psychologists, therapists and more in one place. If you would rather we point you in the right direction, Get Matched with an Expert helps connect you with someone suited to your child’s situation.
This is information, not legal advice. For formal advice, always speak to IPSEA or your local SENDIASS, both free.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a private educational psychologist report to apply for an EHCP?
No. You do not have to get a private EP report before requesting an EHC needs assessment. When the Local Authority carries out the assessment, the law requires it to seek advice from an educational psychologist anyway. Some families choose a private report for a faster or independent view, but it is a choice, not a requirement. Check the free guidance from IPSEA before deciding.
What is the difference between a SEND advocate and SENDIASS?
SENDIASS is a free, impartial statutory service that every Local Authority must provide, giving information, advice and support on SEND. A SEND advocate is usually a paid, private adviser, and the role is not regulated, so experience varies. Start with the free services (SENDIASS and IPSEA) and consider a paid advocate only if you need extra, hands-on support.
How long does the EHC needs assessment take?
Your Local Authority has 20 weeks from receiving the request to give you the final EHC plan, and it must tell you within 16 weeks whether a plan will be made. These are the statutory timescales on gov.uk. If your Local Authority misses them, that is something SENDIASS or IPSEA can advise you on.
How do I check a SEND professional is properly qualified?
Educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These titles are protected by law. You can search the HCPC register free at hcpc-uk.org to confirm someone is registered before you pay.
Should I use the NHS or pay privately for therapy?
The NHS route is free and respected, but waits vary and can be long. Private therapy costs money but is usually quicker, and you choose the professional. Many families use both: NHS support plus one private assessment when timing is tight, for example before a deadline.
Your next step
You do not have to work all of this out at once. Start with the SENCO and the free services, then bring in a specialist only where it fits.
If you are not sure where you stand, take the free SEND Rights Quiz. In a few minutes it helps you see what your child may be entitled to and what to do next. When you are ready to find the right person, the Find an Expert directory is there to help.
You are doing the right thing by looking. Take it one step at a time.