What happens in an Emerald Bridges EP assessment

It’s no secret what we do! We put your child’s needs first by offering person-centred, evidence-based assessment and current-practice consultation strategies. Every time. But what does that actually mean in practical terms? Come with us as we peer behind the curtain (edit: Under the Emerald Bridge??) and reveal what actually happens in an EP assessment with an Emerald Bridges educational psychologist.

Process flowchart for an educational psychologist involvement, see below for more details!"

Stage 1: “setting the scene”

Free 30 minute consultation / Client Intake form

Free 30 minute consultation

The first step to bringing an educational psychologist on board is always the hardest, but taking it comes with a big reward: a completely free 30-minute phone consultation with a qualified and experienced educational and child psychologist. It’s 30 minutes just for you—to be listened to, get guidance and signposting, and have your story truly heard. And that’s not all; you’ll also receive:

• No pressurised sales tactic or pay-walled help.

• Evidence-informed advice specific to you and your family

• A completely free summary email for your records after the consultation

• Recommendations and provision of usable resources

The initial consultation aims to provide instant, unfettered access to support from an educational psychologist, which aligns with our vision of making educational psychology accessible for all.

Client intake form

If you'd like to continue or get us involved at the end of your consultation (And we’re thrilled if you do!), we’ll ask you to fill out a quick “client intake form.” It’s a simple way to share some basic info about you and your family, plus a chance to jot down your top three hopes for the future. Don’t worry if it’s too hard to narrow it down to just three—our use of the miracle question (a cool psychological technique) will help you focus while still letting you play around with how you describe your goals.

Stage 2: “Getting down to work”

Home consultation / In-school work

The main assessment process is usually conducted in two phases: Home and school

Home consultation

This is a more in-depth and focused consultation process than the initial 30-minute one held at the start of the case. In-person, via Microsoft Teams or over the telephone, the EP will use various information-gathering techniques and resources to create a detailed understanding of the child's difficulties from the home context/perspective. Home consultations may include visits to complete assessments or consultations with the child directly should access to school not be possible* (i.e. during school holidays or closures). Home consultations may include questionnaires and interviews with the relevant adult, so we recommend putting aside between 45 and 90 minutes to complete the consultation process without interruptions (as far as controllable, of course).

School work

This constitutes the direct work with the child and their educational context. Once consent and permission have been sought from parents and senior leadership team members of the child’s school, a visit to the school premises is organised to conduct in-class observations, individual assessments and class teacher/relevant adult consultations. ‘School work’ is undertaken in 3-hour blocks, typically starting at 9:30 am. This may vary and is pending class scheduling. Due to the limitations of human concentration and to minimise disruption to the normal learning environment, school work does not exceed 3 hours and should more work need to be carried out, a repeat visit will be scheduled. There is no maximum amount of visits. However, most planned work can be completed within 1-3 visits.

Before entering the school, logistics such as room and adult availability will be arranged between the EP and the special educational needs coordinator or headteacher.

Safeguarding

In both cases, the EP will produce two types of identification (Government-issued and an Emerald Bridges CPAS ID badge) and a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate registered with the government update service. During school visits, a signed consent form from the parents authorising the work to be carried out by the EP will also be available.

* In scenarios where a home visit to carry out direct work with a child is required, we ask that at least one adult over the age of 21 is present in the home at all times and that the assessment environment is in a room with windows and an open door with unfettered access.

Stage 3: “Pulling it all together”

Written report / 45 minute Debrief meeting

Written report

With all the data gathered successfully, the final stage is to piece it together. Emerald Bridges CPAS follows the simple-to-comprehend but difficult-to-master reflection framework of Terry Borton (1970) when approaching the synthesis and communication of assessment data. The framework asks just three questions: “What? So What? Now What?”. While the report produced will absolutely contain more than just brief answers to these questions, the framework will be the driving philosophy in producing thought-out, evidence-informed formulations that not only link to present and previous difficulties but also pave the way for future planning and positive consequences as a result of the assessment.

The reports produced are of the highest quality, with an easy-to-follow structure that includes diagrams, tables, and appendices where relevant. They will be made available directly to the commissioning body via secure email, followed shortly by a physical copy being sent via recorded delivery at no extra cost.

Debrief meeting

Of course, receiving a document is one thing; fully understanding it is another. This is why we offer a complimentary joint debrief meeting lasting up to 45 minutes between the Educational Psychologist, home, and school. This session provides an opportunity to clarify definitions, synchronise understanding, discuss future planning, and address any questions from either party.

The debriefing meeting also serves as a chance to conclude the EP’s involvement through a facilitated transition. This ensures that all parties feel empowered and equipped to make positive changes moving forward without the need for further EP involvement.

Ready for us to get involved?

We have developed an exceptionally detailed and meticulous approach to educational psychology, refined through years of experience and an extensive wealth of knowledge. While the steps outlined above detail the process, they do not mention the added peace of mind provided by our frequent and open communication channels.

Throughout the assessment cycle, we update you at various key points and offer a highly responsive email and telephone support system. Ask questions, engage in discussions, or simply check in whenever you need to—we love to hear from you!

To start your journey today, contact us on 01622 278 472 or complete the contact form here, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Still on the fence about whether an educational psychologist is right for you? Then definitely check out this post.