Standardised testing
Recognised assessments of motor coordination, visual perception, handwriting and sensory processing, giving objective scores.
Independent OT reports for EHCPs and school
Independent occupational therapy assessments that describe a child's needs clearly and set out specific, quantified provision for Education, Health and Care Plans, annual reviews and SEND tribunal appeals.
- Home and school assessment
- Specific, quantified recommendations
- Annual review and tribunal evidence
- SENCO and teacher liaison
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Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
Our service
Independent occupational therapy assessments for EHCPs
Private Occupational Therapy assesses children and young people independently and writes OT reports that families, schools and solicitors can use as evidence when an EHCP is being requested, drafted, reviewed or appealed.
An occupational therapist assesses your child at home, observes them in school or college and gathers input from you, teachers and the SENCO. The findings go into a written report structured around the plan, which you can submit to the local authority or tribunal. Updates, follow-up therapy or tribunal attendance can be arranged where needed.
What to expect
- A conversation about your child and the stage you have reached
- A quote and agreed timescale before booking
- A report linking each recommendation to a need
- Recommendations you and school can act on
- School liaison with your consent
Why independent OT evidence matters for an EHCP
An Education, Health and Care Plan is only as useful as the evidence behind it. When a plan says a child should have "access to occupational therapy as required", nobody knows who should provide it, how often or for how long, and the support can quietly disappear. Families and schools commission independent reports because they want a child's motor, sensory and self-care needs described accurately and the right help written in properly.
When to commission a report
When do families and schools need an OT report for an EHCP?
Most requests come at a point where decisions about provision are being made and the existing evidence feels thin.
That might be an initial needs assessment request, a draft plan that leaves out therapy, or a review where a child's needs have changed. Schools and SENCOs also commission reports when they need specialist advice to plan support. Children with dyspraxia, autism, ADHD or physical disabilities are frequently referred, though a diagnosis is not required.
Typical situations
- Applying for an EHC needs assessment
- Responding to a draft EHCP
- Preparing for an annual review
- Moving to secondary school or college
- Appealing to the SEND tribunal
- School needing OT advice for planning
What's included
What the EHCP assessment covers
The scope is agreed at the start so the report answers the questions that matter for your child's plan.
School observation
Time in class, at break and during transitions to see how needs affect learning and participation.
Parent and staff input
Questionnaires and conversations with parents, teachers and the SENCO about daily routines and concerns.
EHCP-focused report
Needs and provision set out in a structure that maps onto the relevant sections of the plan.
Measurable outcomes
Suggested outcomes that school and family can track over the coming key stage.
Tribunal evidence
Reports prepared for appeals, with attendance at hearings where the therapist is instructed to give evidence.
What a useful EHCP occupational therapy report contains
Local authorities and tribunals look for evidence that is specific, current and clearly reasoned. A good report describes the child's needs in plain language, explains how they affect learning and independence, and links every recommendation back to an identified need.
Needs described for Section B
The report explains difficulties such as poor pencil control, fatigue when writing, sensory overload in busy corridors or difficulty changing for PE, supported by test results and observation rather than general statements.
Provision quantified for Section F
Recommendations state what support is needed, who should deliver it, how often and for how long. That might include direct therapy, a programme delivered by a trained teaching assistant, equipment or adjustments to the classroom. Specific wording makes provision easier to deliver and to check.
Reviews and appeals
Annual reviews and SEND tribunal evidence
An EHCP should be reviewed at least once a year, and an updated OT report can show whether provision is working and what should change, particularly before a move between phases of education. If a family appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), an independent report can be submitted as evidence.
Where a solicitor or family instructs the therapist to attend the hearing, they can explain their findings and answer questions from the panel. The tribunal makes its own decision, so no report can promise a particular result, but clear and well-reasoned evidence helps everyone understand the child's needs.
Useful documents to share
- The current EHCP or draft plan
- Previous therapy or medical reports
- The school's SEN support plan
- Annual review paperwork
- Tribunal deadlines and directions
School observations across the North East
School and college visits are arranged through you, with the setting's agreement. We visit settings in Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland and County Durham, and reports for children further away can be discussed. If ongoing therapy is recommended, our paediatric occupational therapy service can provide it.
Funding an independent EHCP report
Reports are usually funded by parents, by schools seeking specialist advice or, in tribunal cases, through a family's solicitor. Private Occupational Therapy provides a quote before work starts, and the fees and funding page explains the main options.
FAQs
EHCP and OT report questions
Does the local authority have to consider a private OT report?
Local authorities should consider relevant evidence provided by families, including independent reports. How much weight it carries depends on how thorough, current and clearly reasoned it is.
Can you work to our statutory deadlines?
Tell us your deadlines when you first get in touch. A timescale is agreed before booking, so you know when to expect the report before committing.
Is a school visit essential?
It is strongly recommended. Seeing a child in class shows how their needs affect learning in a way that a home assessment alone cannot.
Do you include sensory needs in EHCP reports?
Yes, where relevant. Sensory processing is often part of the assessment, and our sensory integration therapy page explains that work in more detail.
Can solicitors instruct you for a tribunal?
Yes. Solicitors acting for families can instruct an assessment and report, and details for referrers are on our professionals page.
Need an OT report for an EHCP?
Send a few details about your child, the stage you have reached and any deadlines, and Private Occupational Therapy will reply with a quote.