We are writing in the interests of
clarity while awaiting the official government policy note.
The brief announcement, from the Department for Education, stated: from February 2019, students with an SpLD (such as dyslexia) will be able to provide, as evidence of their disability, a diagnostic assessment report in respect of an assessment undertaken at any age. An official Student Support Information Note [SSIN] on the policy change is due from the Department imminently. In looking at the new announcement relating
to pre-16 diagnostic assessment reports, it is important to note that it needs
to be made abundantly clear that the SASC guidelines will be required to be
met, just as currently required, for any report being used as evidence for DSA
of a Specific Learning Difficulty, regardless of the age of the candidate.
Therefore for reports to be acceptable for DSA evidence, the author must hold a
current SpLD APC or be HCPC registered at the time of the assessment and follow
SASC guidelines. Assessors need to be certain that they are meeting
these requirements. Parents, university disability
and support services, needs assessors and potential applicants will have to be
advised of this to prepare accordingly in order ensure that any diagnostic
assessment, if it is to be used for DSA funding, is being carried out by a SpLD
APC holder or HCPC registered psychologist and meets SASC guidelines.
Assessors of those in education should
have knowledge of the educational setting of their candidates in order to make
appropriate recommendations.
Please inform your colleagues to look out
for this SSIN.
10 December 2018
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