Independent Educational Psychology assessment and report for SEND Tribunal proceedings
Tabla Psychology provides Tribunal Educational Psychology assessments for children and young people, helping families build a clear, detailed and evidence-informed understanding of their child’s strengths, needs and the provision that may be required.
SEND Tribunal proceedings can feel stressful, complex and emotionally demanding. When a child or young person’s needs are not fully understood, an independent Educational Psychology report can help bring together assessment findings, parent and school information, and wider evidence in a clear and structured way.
Our Tribunal Specific Service is designed for detailed and complex cases where families require independent Educational Psychology evidence for First-tier Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal proceedings. Our aim is not to guarantee any particular Tribunal, EHCP, placement or funding outcome, but to provide high-quality psychological evidence that supports understanding, decision-making and planning.
Why families choose Tabla for a Tribunal Educational Psychology assessment
We take a thoughtful, evidence-informed and child-centred approach, combining detailed Educational Psychology assessment with clear, practical and Tribunal-standard reporting.
Families choose Tabla Psychology because we offer:
- Assessment by HCPC-registered Educational Psychologists
- Usually two Educational Psychologists involved in the assessment appointment: Dr Tamasine Black and Marta Mendes
- A detailed, independent Educational Psychology report for SEND Tribunal proceedings
- Specific and quantified recommendations for support and provision, where clinically and educationally indicated
- Careful review of relevant Tribunal paperwork and evidence
- Structured information gathering from parents and schools through checklists and questionnaires
- A child-centred, playful and sensory-aware assessment approach
- Consideration of learning, communication, regulation, sensory processing, emotional wellbeing, neurodevelopmental needs and barriers to access
- A recommended school visit, where appropriate, available as a separate bookable service and usually carried out by Nikki Hammal, SEND Specialist
- A Priority Report Pathway, subject to availability, with a 7-day report turnaround following the assessment appointment and receipt of all required information
- The option of a written addendum to support of the Tribunal
- A calm, welcoming clinic environment in Hambledon, Hampshire
Our reports are designed to be clear, robust and useful for families, schools, legal representatives and decision-makers. Psychological assessment evidence can support SEND decision-making and Tribunal proceedings, but it does not guarantee any particular legal outcome.
A calm, welcoming place for children and families
Our clinic is based in a quiet converted dairy in Hambledon, Hampshire. We aim to provide a calm, respectful and welcoming space for children, young people and families.
Tribunal Educational Psychology assessments can involve children and young people who have experienced school distress, anxiety, sensory overwhelm, emotionally based school non-attendance or previous experiences of not feeling understood. Our direct assessment work is therefore playful, sensory-aware and responsive to the child or young person in front of us.
Freddie, our clinic dog, may sometimes help to break the ice and create a more relaxed atmosphere. We also know that some children prefer not to have a dog present, so Freddie will only be involved if it feels right for your child. We will always take account of each child’s preferences, sensory needs, allergies, anxieties and comfort.
What does the assessment involve?
Our Tribunal Educational Psychology assessment is designed to build a clear and comprehensive understanding of your child or young person’s profile, needs and barriers to learning.
The assessment may include:
- Face-to-face assessment appointments at our clinic
- Direct work with the child or young person, usually in person
- Input from two HCPC-registered Educational Psychologists, where appropriate
- Standardised assessment, where appropriate
- Structured educational and psychological observations
- Structured checklists and questionnaires completed by parents, carers and school staff
- Review of relevant Tribunal paperwork and evidence bundles
- Analysis of strengths, needs and barriers to learning
- Consideration of learning, communication, emotional wellbeing, regulation, sensory processing, neurodevelopmental needs and functional impact
- Specific and quantified recommendations for support, intervention and provision, where clinically and educationally indicated
Direct assessment work is usually carried out in person. In some circumstances, where a child or young person’s additional needs mean that an online appointment would be more appropriate, this can be considered.
We gather parent and school information through structured checklists and questionnaires rather than informal telephone conversations. This helps ensure that information is captured carefully, consistently and accurately, and that important details can be properly reflected within the report.
School visits
A school visit is recommended where appropriate and possible, as it can provide important insight into how the child or young person manages within their educational environment.
School visits are usually carried out by Nikki Hammal, SEND Specialist. A school visit is a separate bookable service and is not automatically included in the Tribunal Specific Service package. School visits are subject to availability, travel, scheduling and prior agreement.
Who carries out the assessment?
Tribunal Specific Assessments are usually completed by two HCPC-registered Educational Psychologists:
Dr Tamasine Black
Consultant Educational and Child Psychologist
Founder, Managing Director and Lead Psychologist
HCPC-registered
Dr Black has extensive experience completing Educational Psychology assessments for children and young people with complex SEND profiles. She is experienced in preparing Tribunal-standard reports that provide carefully reasoned psychological evidence for families involved in SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Marta Mendes
Educational Psychologist
HCPC-registered
Marta supports the assessment process alongside Dr Black. Having two Educational Psychologists involved allows for detailed observation, careful information gathering and a more rounded understanding of the child or young person’s needs during the assessment session.
What happens after the assessment?
Once the assessment and information‑gathering process is complete, our team carefully reviews all of the information to build a clear and accurate understanding of your child or young person.
You will receive a detailed written Educational Psychology report that includes:
- A clear summary of your child or young person’s strengths and needs
- A psychologically informed understanding of their learning, developmental, emotional and/or neurodevelopmental profile
- Analysis of the evidence gathered during assessment
- Consideration of information from parents, school and other professionals, where available
- Specific and quantified recommendations for support, intervention and provision, where clinically and educationally indicated
- Professional reasoning to support the recommendations made
The report can be used as independent Educational Psychology evidence within SEND decision-making and Tribunal proceedings.
Priority Report Pathway
We offer a Priority Report Pathway for families who need a faster report turnaround, subject to availability.
We hold weekly assessment appointments, which means that we may be able to offer appointments quickly where capacity allows. Under the Priority Report Pathway, the written report has a 7-day turnaround following the assessment appointment and receipt of all required information.
This pathway can only be offered where there is enough capacity to complete the assessment, information review, analysis and report writing to the required professional standard.
Addendum reports
Where questions are raised in relation to our report, we may be able to provide a written addendum.
Questions must be shared with us in advance, and the addendum work must be agreed and scheduled before it is completed. Unless the relevant psychologist is on annual leave or otherwise unavailable, addendum reports can usually be prioritised, subject to capacity and the nature of the questions raised.
Fees
The cost of the Tribunal Specific Service is £3,500.
This includes:
- Full Educational Psychology assessment
- Input from two HCPC-registered Educational Psychologists, where appropriate
- Structured parent and school information gathering through checklists and questionnaires
- Review of relevant Tribunal paperwork and evidence
- Written Educational Psychology report
- Specific and quantified recommendations for provision, where clinically and educationally indicated
- Structured evidence to support SEND decision-making and Tribunal proceedings
Additional services are charged separately at £250 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments.
Additional work may include school visits, addendum reports, additional written input, liaison with schools, professionals or legal teams, and scheduled consultation work, where agreed in advance.
Please note that we do not currently offer professional witness work or Tribunal hearing attendance due to capacity. We also do not have capacity for unscheduled calls or unscheduled amendments. Any additional work required after the report has been issued must be agreed in advance and is subject to availability.
Booking and Availability
We offer Tribunal Specific Educational Psychology assessments at our Hampshire clinic. Direct assessment is usually carried out in person, unless a child or young person’s additional needs mean that an online appointment would be more appropriate.
To enquire or ask our team any questions, please click on the link below. We would be happy to help you decide whether this is the right assessment pathway for your child or young person.
Tribunal-Specific Assessments
Who carries these out?
Our Tribunal assessments are delivered by two highly experienced psychologists:
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Dr Tamasine Black – Consultant Educational & Child Psychologist, HCPC-registered.
Dr Black has extensive experience supporting children and families through SEND Tribunals, having worked with multiple Local Authorities (including Wandsworth, Islington, Lambeth, Southampton, Hampshire, Kent and BCP). She has sat on numerous SEND panels and is a recommended expert for leading UK solicitors, including Geldards and HCB. -
Dr Vicki Russ – Clinical Psychologist.
Dr Russ specialises in autism, ADHD and cognitive assessment. She may also work directly with your child during the appointment, depending on the complexity of the case.
“[Dr Black] performed very well at Tribunal. Thank you so much for [her] input. Counsel said that [her] reasoning was good and robust and that [she] gave convincing evidence, for which we are very grateful.”
– Salise Dourmoush, Geldards LLP
What does it cover?
Our Tribunal-specific assessments are designed to be comprehensive, robust and evidence-based, providing a clear picture of your child’s strengths and needs. Reports include:
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Face-to-face assessment appointments in our clinic (all direct work with your child takes place in person).
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Standardised assessments and structured clinical observations.
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Information gathered from parents, schools, and other professionals via checklists and qualitative methods.
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Careful reading and analysis of extensive Tribunal bundles, ensuring all available evidence is considered.
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Evidence-based recommendations for strategies, interventions, and provision.
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Optional school visits (within 15 miles of our clinic).
We use PDA-informed, child-led approaches, with sensitivity to possible school-related trauma. Our priority is to gather as much high-quality information as possible within a playful, supportive, and well-regulated interaction, ensuring the child feels safe, engaged, and respected throughout.
These reports are consistently recognised by families and legal teams as being of the highest standard, offering the solid evidence base needed for Tribunal.
The service
The Tribunal Specific Service is a premium package designed for detailed and complex cases. It includes:
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Full face-to-face assessment and written report.
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Review of Tribunal paperwork and bundles.
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Clear recommendations for provision.
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Structured evidence to support SEND Tribunal proceedings.
Cost: £3,500
Additional services (charged at £250/hour, billed in 15-minute increments) can include:
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Parent and school consultations
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Liaison with legal teams
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Professional witness services at Tribunal hearings
Please note: we do not have capacity for urgent addenda, amendments, or unscheduled calls. All work must be agreed and scheduled in advance.
Our approach
We understand how stressful SEND Tribunal proceedings can be for families, and we aim to make the process as supportive and accommodating as possible. However, we expect all interactions to remain professional and respectful. In cases of unprofessional or discourteous behaviour, our involvement will cease immediately, without refund.
Please book in by getting in touch here.
Tribunal Specific Service FAQ
What is this assessment for?
This assessment is for families who require an independent Educational Psychology assessment and report to support SEND Tribunal proceedings or SEND decision-making.
It is designed for detailed or complex cases where there is a need for clear psychological evidence about a child or young person’s strengths, needs and recommended provision.
Who carries out the assessment?
Tribunal Specific Assessments are usually completed by two HCPC-registered Educational Psychologists: Dr Tamasine Black and Marta Mendes.
Do you speak to parents and schools?
We gather information from parents, carers and schools through structured checklists and questionnaires. This helps ensure that information is carefully recorded, consistently gathered and accurately reflected in the report.
Additional consultation or liaison may be agreed separately where needed and where there is capacity.
Is a school visit included?
No. A school visit is a separate bookable service and is not automatically included in the Tribunal Specific Service package.
A school visit is recommended where appropriate and possible, and is usually carried out by Nikki Hammal, SEND Specialist. School visits are subject to availability, travel, scheduling and prior agreement.
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, the psychologists will analyse the assessment findings, review the relevant background information and prepare a detailed written Educational Psychology report.
The report will set out the child or young person’s strengths, needs and specific and quantified recommendations for support and provision, where clinically and educationally indicated.
Does the assessment follow HCPC and BPS guidelines?
Our psychologists work within their professional registration requirements and ethical responsibilities. Assessments are completed in line with appropriate professional standards, evidence-informed practice and the psychologists’ clinical and educational judgement.
Can this report be used for Tribunal?
The report is designed to provide independent Educational Psychology evidence that may be used within SEND Tribunal proceedings.
However, no assessment or report can guarantee a particular Tribunal outcome, EHCP decision, placement decision or level of provision.
Is there any follow up support?
Additional follow-up support may be available by prior agreement and is charged separately. Where questions are raised in relation to our report, we may be able to provide a written addendum, provided the questions are shared with us in advance and the work is agreed and scheduled.
All follow-up work is subject to availability and must be scheduled in advance.
Do you offer urgent Tribunal assessments?
We offer a Priority Report Pathway, subject to availability.
We hold weekly assessment appointments, so we may be able to offer appointments quickly where capacity allows. Under the Priority Report Pathway, the written report has a 7-day turnaround following the assessment appointment and receipt of all required information.
Can you attend Tribunal hearings?
We do not currently offer professional witness work or Tribunal hearing attendance due to capacity.
Our Tribunal Specific Service focuses on providing a detailed independent Educational Psychology assessment and written report to support SEND decision-making and Tribunal proceedings. We can provide an additional addendum report if the Tribunal requests it.
