All Education Support

Types of Education Support

Education support covers a range of services, from direct teaching and learning intervention to professional assessment and independent advice. The most appropriate service will depend on the difficulties being experienced and the outcome the family is seeking.

Some children may need targeted teaching to develop particular skills. Others may need an assessment to understand their learning profile, or independent advice about school support, provision and next steps.

SEN Tutoring & Specialist Education

Specialist tutors work directly with children and young people who need additional help accessing learning. Support may focus on literacy, numeracy, study skills, organisation, executive functioning, confidence or particular areas of the curriculum.

Some tutors specialise in supporting children with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, speech and language needs, developmental differences or other SEND. Sessions may be delivered at home, in an education setting or online.

Before choosing a tutor, ask about their qualifications, experience with your child’s needs, teaching approach and how progress will be reviewed.

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Education Consultants & SEN Advisors

Education consultants and SEN advisors provide independent advice to families who need help understanding education options, school support or suitable provision.

Services may include reviewing a child’s current education arrangements, discussing school or placement options, helping families prepare for meetings and advising on questions to raise with an education setting.

Some consultants specialise in SEND, school admissions, exclusions, alternative provision or complex education circumstances. Their role is generally advisory and should be distinguished from formal legal representation or regulated professional assessment.

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Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists help identify and understand factors affecting a child or young person’s learning, development, wellbeing or participation in education.

Support may include consultation with families and schools, observation, cognitive or learning assessment, analysis of strengths and needs, professional reports and recommendations for educational support.

Educational psychology advice may also contribute to SEND planning, school-based support, statutory assessment or an EHCP process. Families should confirm the purpose of the assessment, what evidence will be gathered and what the final report will include.

Educational psychologists practising under a protected practitioner psychologist title should be appropriately registered. Families can ask providers about their qualifications, professional registration and experience.

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Which Type of Education Support Might Help?

The following examples may help you decide where to begin:

• If your child needs direct help with learning or particular subjects, consider a specialist SEN tutor.
• If you need independent advice about schools, placements or education arrangements, consider an education consultant or SEN advisor.
• If you need a professional assessment of learning, development or educational needs, consider an educational psychologist.
• If the main issue concerns statutory support, an EHCP or an appeal, you may also need EHCP support or advocacy.
• If the concern relates specifically to dyslexia, speech and language or occupational needs, a more specialist assessment or therapy category may be appropriate.

A provider may recommend involvement from another professional where a child’s needs cross more than one area.

Education Support and SEND

Many education support providers work with children and young people who have identified or suspected SEND. A formal diagnosis is not always required before families seek tutoring, advice or an initial professional consultation.

Education support may be useful where a child is:

• struggling to make expected progress
• finding it difficult to access classroom learning
• experiencing difficulties with literacy, numeracy or organisation
• showing differences in attention, communication or learning
• finding school attendance or participation difficult
• waiting for assessment or further school support
• preparing for a school meeting, transition or change of placement

Private education support does not replace a school’s responsibilities toward children with SEND. Families may still wish to discuss concerns with the school’s SENCO, class teacher or other relevant professional.

Choosing an Education Support Provider

Before booking a service, check whether the provider’s experience and approach match the support your child needs.

Questions to consider include:

• What qualifications, professional registration or specialist training does the provider hold?
• Do they have experience supporting children with similar needs?
• Is the service delivered online, in person, at home or through a school?
• What is included in the fee?
• Will you receive written feedback, recommendations or a formal report?
• How will progress or outcomes be reviewed?
• Can the provider communicate with the child’s school or other professionals?
• Are there additional costs for travel, meetings, reports or follow-up work?
• What are the waiting times and cancellation arrangements?

Where a report is intended for a school, local authority, tribunal or statutory process, confirm in advance whether it will be suitable for that purpose.

Related Support Categories

Families exploring education support may also find these categories useful:

• Private Assessments
• Dyslexia Support
• EHCP Support & Advocacy
• Autism Support
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

Provider Information and Listing Accuracy

Find Support UK aims to keep provider information clear, accurate and useful. Providers can claim or update an existing listing from the relevant listing page, and users can report information that appears inaccurate or out of date.

• Submit a Support Listing
• Provider Standards
• Listing Rules & Guidelines
• Report incorrect information