3:112. In these circumstances, the health services will not only contribute relevant information on the child's special needs, but may also contribute to the setting of objectives and the review process.

Psychological advice

3:113. The views of an educational psychologist are essential in fully assessing a child's special educational needs and in planning for any future provision.  The educational psychologist from whom the advice is sought must be employed or engaged for the purpose by the LEA.  In making his or her report, the educational psychologist should address a wide range of factors which may affect a child's functioning.  Such factors may include the child's cognitive functioning; communication skills; perceptual skills; adaptive and personal and social skills; the child's approaches and attitudes to learning; his or her educational attainments; and the child's self-image, interests and behaviour. Educational psychologists may need to liaise with
occupational therapists and physiotherapists for advice when investigating motor skills and their relationship to perceptual skills.

3:114. In some instances, the educational psychology service will have had a long-term relationship with a particular child and will be able to contribute a considerable body of opinion about the child's progress.  In other cases, in addition to examining the child, it may be necessary for the educational psychologist to observe the child over a period of time in order to formulate a clear picture of his or her needs.  As part of these observations and depending on the age of the child, the educational psychologist may wish to visit the child and parents at home.

3:115. The educational psychologist from whom the LEA seeks advice must consult, and record any advice received from, any other psychologist, such as a clinical or occupational psychologist, who he or she believes to have relevant knowledge of or information about the child.  The LEA must consider any advice from a fully qualified educational psychologist commissioned independently and submitted by the parents.

Social services advice

3:116. The LEA will have copied the notice of their proposal to make a statutory assessment to the social services department.  They must now seek advice as to whether the SSD is aware of any problems affecting the child or can provide advice and information on the child relevant to the assessment.  The LEA should give social services departments full information on the LEA's statutory assessment arrangements and procedures.  LEAs and social services departments should agree the procedures to be followed when the LEA notify a social services department of their proposal to assess a child's special educational needs.

3:117. Having been notified that the LEA will assess the child, the social services department should give the LEA any relevant information which they have about the family or the child.