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Developing Positive Change

Why we do what we do

We are driven to ensure that all children and young people have equity, inclusion and agency, and are fully understood, so they can engage in appropriate education, to which they have the right, safe and secure in the knowledge that they have the freedom to be themselves and to grow.

Families

We provide psychological assessments, expert witness assessments for tribunal & courts, tribunal and court hearing attendance, statutory assessment for EHCPs, diagnostic assessments, consultation, early intervention and therapeutic support.

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Schools

We provide one-off involvement and Service Level Agreement support to all settings from Early Years to post-16 for EHCP and non-statutory assessments, consultation, training, early intervention and therapeutic support.

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Legal

We provide expert witness assessments and reports and oral evidence at tribunal and court hearings on behalf of families, solicitors, barristers, advocates, courts, and case managers.

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Training

Our vision for training: inform, inspire and impact.

We deliver bespoke, and engaging training to all educational settings, designed for their individual needs.

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Media

We give expert, evidence-based insight and psychological perspective to television, radio and online journalism on all areas relating to children and young people.

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Children and young people's page

Find out more about the pet-loving, cake-baking members of our team you may meet!

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About us

Dr Paul Kelly and our dedicated team of Educational and Child Psychologists and Assistant Educational Psychologists, provide services to families, schools and other education settings, solicitors, advocates and the media. 
Working with children and young people aged 0-25, we provide person-centred, psychological advice, assessments, training and consultancy, informed by up to date, evidence-based research.
Our approach is always empathic, inclusive and neurodiversity affirming. We recognise parents and carers as experts on their child or young person. We apply psychology to develop positive change.

About Paul

Dr Paul Kelly (D.Ed, M.Ed, PGCE, GCLCM, CSci, AFBPsS, CPsychol) is a Chartered, Consultant Educational and Child Psychologist, working across England, based in the North West, with over 30 years’ experience in working within SEND with Children and Young People. He is a highly experienced expert witness in courts and tribunals.
Paul has a doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology from the University of Manchester, is a chartered scientist, and is registered to practise with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). He is a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP). Paul presents at international and national conferences as keynote speaker and trainer, has enjoyed being an honorary tutor of the University of Manchester, and is an expert voice on national radio and television.

Paul is an expert in Attachment and in developing award-winning Attachment Aware, and Trauma Informed Schools. He has conducted research into literacy difficulties, Dyslexia and self-esteem, Looked After Children and resilience. He was Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for a Local Authority and supervises Educational Psychologists and Assistant Educational Psychologists. He is qualified and experienced in the administration of a wide range of diagnostic assessments including ADOS-2, and has extensive experience in Autism, and leads an Autism diagnostic Multi-Disciplinary Team. One of his specialisms is in working with children and young people who are out of school, home educated, or receiving EOTIS. Paul takes a neuro-affirming approach to working with children and young people who are selectively mute, demand avoidant (PDA) and those who mask.
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What People Say:

"The level of detail, thoughtfulness, and consistency in your reports has helped us build a clear and holistic picture of each individual’s needs. This in turn has allowed us to create solid foundations upon which our students can thrive - academically, emotionally, and socially."
Assistant Principal Inclusion & Strategic SENDCo, Oasis Leesbrook
"Thanks for all the amazing reports and support this year."
Assistant SENDCoManchester
"You have demonstrated such excellent and comprehensive understanding of X and his needs."
Parent
“Paul’s given me hope.”
Young Person
"Thanks for the impressive and detailed reports we are receiving from your service...We look forward to continuing working with you."
National Lead Practitioner for SENDOldham
"We could not have asked for a better Expert supporting and advocating X's needs. Saying thank you does not seem enough, but it is heartfelt."
Parent, on Dr Kelly acting as an Expert Witness at their Tribunal Hearing
"It has been fantastic to work with your company, excellent service and communication. Thank you for being my go to EP service."
SENCo/Assistant HeadteacherWirral
"Just wanted to say thank you for this report as it is the only report that we have received about X that really does capture all of him, all of his unique qualities and challenges and specifically the support he needs going forward."
Parent
"We are so very grateful for the accuracy of your report and your professionalism. Your experience and expertise were evident throughout. Your ability to connect with and engage our daughter to assess and speak up for her also reflected that. You saw our little girl for who she really is and all that we are incredibly proud if, where others have not… Different but not any less valuable shone through in a clearly child focussed experience. We cannot recommend your services enough.”
Parent
"I honestly cannot thank you enough for this report...For the first time in this entire process, X felt heard and seen. X now sees the light at the end of the tunnel, you've given X a voice. You have illustrated all of X's needs and struggles and worded it in such a way that any professional reading it will get a strong sense of who X is."
Parent
"You have assessed two of my children over the past few years and your reports and expert opinion has been paramount for both of them...Honestly without your reports...our children's needs would have continued to be played down. They are now both happy, safe and in the right settings to meet their needs..."
Parent
"I just want to say how impressed I was with you and your ability to talk to X...and see past her masking, she enjoyed the way you structured it. You seemed to really get her and understand her. It was such a nice change."
Parent
"Upon meeting you, I could tell how passionate you were about your work and this showed in the very detailed and thorough report you created. I'm very pleased with how you listened and understood the situation we were in and gave such detail in what X would need to thrive in education again."
Parent
'Paul has assessed my child twice over the past few years. The first report enabled us to get a quality EHCP, and the second supported us in securing an EOTAS package through the Tribunal process. Both reports were highly complimented by everyone I shared them with, and they were perfect for the legal processes they were intended for. Paul was very knowledgeable, sensitive and insightful about my child's difficulties and needs in his interactions with them, and in his conversations with me and other professionals involved. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services '
Parent
“You have, without a doubt, helped to change X’s life.”
Parent
"I cannot express how much I appreciate this very well thought out and meticulous document that shows .......'s strengths and needs in immense detail."
Parent
"I just wanted to say a personal thank you for your prolonged and lengthy contribution towards my Son's EHCP appeal. I was overwhelmed by the attention to detail and the contents within the report that evidently took many hours / days to prepare and create. After the journey I have had to reach this point, I cannot express how much I appreciate this very well thought out and meticulous document that shows his strengths and needs in immense detail.
Parent
"Paul came to see my little boy last week and was so helpful, understanding and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He gave really fantastic advice and advised me of some of the next steps that I could take. couldn't recommend him any more highly. I wouldn't hesitate to use him again in a heartbeat."
Parent

Our Assessment Process

We offer a broad range of bespoke assessments.

Our assessment process begins with understanding a child or young person, and gaining the views of the parent/carer/school via our short referral form.

A bespoke assessment is designed and planned by our highly qualified and very experienced Educational and Child Psychologists to explore the presenting needs and current situation.

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Assessments can include:

  • Autism (Multi-Disciplinary)
  • EHCP assessment
  • Expert Witness assessment
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dysgraphia
  • Cognitive assessment
  • Developmental assesment
  • Emotional wellbeing assessment
  • Play-Based assessment
  • Observations
  • Consultation

Our assessments are flexible and respond to the child or young person’s presentation on the day. We adapt in every way possible to do all we can to help a child or young person to feel comfortable.

Whether a child or young person finds it difficult, or not possible, to engage with the direct assessment on the day, the rigour and quality of the whole assessment process is unaffected due to the triangulation of all information, including observations, consultations and reference to other professional reports.

Find out more about our Holistic Rigorous Quality Bespoke Comprehensive Thorough Precise Exceptional Individualised  Tailored assessment process

To make a referral for assessment or other support:
1. Contact us
2. We will send a short referral form to gather some bullet point information 
3. Dr Kelly will plan the bespoke assessment, based on the information shared
4. We will share Dr Kelly’s recommendations for the assessment with you and offer an assessment date, usually within 2 weeks of receiving the referral form
 
We provide:
  • A swift, high quality service
  • Detailed reports sent to you 4 weeks after the assessment date
  • Fixed-fee reduced price offered for a number of days’ support/assessments
  • One-off Standard, rigorous assessments
  • One-off, rigorous Assessments to support EHCP applications, including Psychological Advices
  • Dedicated, responsive Schools/Education Setting Office Team offering efficient, timely communication
  • A Go-to EP service for a range of Educational Psychology support
 
 
 
All assessments, offered flexibly, include:
 
  • Assessments in school, other setting or family home, where appropriate
  • Child/Young Person’s Views
  • Parent/Carer Consultation
  • Staff Consultation
  • Observation 
 
  • Reading and referencing of up to 4 previous reports, unless more are requested and agreed
  • Detailed description of areas of strength and difficulty
  • In-depth information regarding the impact of the strengths and difficulties on learning
  • Specified and quantified recommendations for provision and outcomes for end of Key Stage, based on up-to date, evidence-based approaches.
 
 
If you would like to request one-off assessments, support or a SLA or discuss any aspect of our broader offer to schools and other education settings, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
 
 
 
Contact us to make a referral or enquiry ↓
At the request of families and carers, we carry out psychological assessments, expert witness assessments for tribunal and court, assessments for EHCPs and diagnostic assessments with children and young people.
To make a referral for an assessment at home, in school, other education setting or office:
 
1. Contact us
2. We will send a short referral form to gather some bullet point information 
3. Dr Kelly will plan the bespoke assessment for your child or young person, based on the information you share
4. We will share Dr Kelly’s recommendations for the assessment and observation with you, offer an outline of fees and a potential assessment date for your consideration
5. When an assessment date has been secured, we will seek specific reports, as appropriate, and the signed consent of all those who have legal Parental Responsibility for your child or young person
 
  • When an assessment is to be carried out in the home or office setting, we will make the arrangements with you.
 
  • When the assessment is to take place in a school, or other education setting, we will make the arrangements with you and the key staff members.
 
  • After the assessment, we will contact you to arrange the parent consultation over the phone/Teams/Zoom, unless the assessment has taken place at home or in the office; in which case, this will be arranged, or take place, on the assessment day 
 
  • The report will follow 6 weeks after the assessment date
 
Assessments, offered flexibly, include:
  • Assessments in school, other setting or family home
  • Child/Young Person’s Views
  • Parent/Carer Consultation
  • Staff Consultation
  • Observation 
 
  • Reading and referencing of up to 4 previous reports, unless more are requested and agreed
  • Detailed description of areas of strength and difficulty
  • In-depth information regarding the impact of the strengths and difficulties on learning
  • Specified and quantified recommendations for provision and outcomes for end of Key Stage, based on up-to date, evidence-based approaches.
 
 
If you would like to request an assessment, or other support or discuss any aspect of our broader offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
 
 
 
Contact us to make a referral or enquiry ↓
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