How are referrals made?

A child or young person may be referred to our service for a range of reasons, not necessarily because of any learning or behaviour difficulty.

For example, we might undertake work on behalf of a child or young person who has been bereaved.

For children and young people attending a school, a request for consultation and/or a referral is made through the SENCO, who will always discuss this first with a parent or a carer, and ask for permission.

For the under 5s, our involvement begins when the paediatrician at the Child Development Centre (CDC) contacts us about a child, with the permission of parents/carers. Nurseries and schools may also refer to their own Educational Psychologist.

Referrals can be made to the Newham Child and Family Consultation Service by any professional involved with a child or family.

Parents/carers may also contact us directly about a child, as might other professionals on their behalf. When this happens, the Principal Educational Psychologist will decide on the most appropriate course of action.

Occasionally, we may also become involved when the LEA asks us to contribute to a statutory assessment.