Assessments / Advice & next steps
Which SEND assessment might help?
Choosing between assessments can feel overwhelming, but you do not need to choose alone. Start by listing the most significant challenges, and the right path will become clearer through discussion with your school.
Quick answer
Choose a SEND assessment by identifying the unanswered question. Learning, communication, sensory, motor, attention, mental-health and medical concerns require different expertise. Start with existing school and health evidence and match the professional to the outcome you need to understand.
What this means
A broad concern such as struggling at school may involve several factors. Ask which difficulty has the greatest impact, what support has been tried and what remains unclear. The right first step may be school assessment, hearing or vision checks, a GP conversation, speech and language, occupational therapy or educational psychology—not necessarily a full private package.
Each professional has a specific scope of practice. An EP is not an OT, and an OT is not an SLT. Using the right expert ensures that the recommendations are robust and actionable.
Before paying for anything, ensure your child's needs cannot be met through the school's existing SEN support and commissioned local services. Save private funds for when you have a very specific, unanswered question.
Questions to ask
What exactly remains unexplained? • Which professional is qualified for that question? • What existing evidence or free route should be used first?
Local Northamptonshire route
Use the relevant North Northamptonshire or West Northamptonshire Local Offer for local education services and confirm health routes with GP or provider. Criteria and availability can change.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Professional assessment should answer a defined question. Private assessment is optional and no report guarantees a diagnosis, EHCP or school outcome.
What happens next?
Act on the smallest useful next step, then review whether it answered the question before commissioning anything further.
Support that may help
School SENCO, SENDIASS, HCPC-registered professionals.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.