Frequently asked questions
Do you have a current DBS certificate?
Yes. I hold a certificate showing I have undergone enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and I complete regular safeguarding training as part of my ongoing professional development.
What are your qualifications as an assessor?
I hold postgraduate dyslexia assessment qualifications, Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA), and a current Assessment Practising Certificate (APC), which I hold with the British Dyslexia Association. I’m a member of the BDA, the Dyslexia Guild and PATOSS. The full list of qualifications is on the About Me page.
What are the benefits of a formal identification of a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia?
An assessment gives personalised insight into how someone learns, including any difficulties related to areas like auditory memory or processing speed. Many people find it helps them understand why they’ve been finding certain things hard, and it can inform the support put in place at school, at work, or at home. For post-16 students, a diagnostic report can also support an application for Disabled Students’ Allowance when studying in higher education.
Will an assessment guarantee my child extra time in exams or DSA funding?
No. A report can be used as evidence when a school or exam board considers exam access arrangements, or when a student applies for Disabled Students’ Allowance, but the decision itself is made by the school, the relevant exam board, or Student Finance England, not by me. An assessment describes a learning profile; it doesn’t determine or guarantee a particular outcome.
Can I book an assessment online?
Not directly. Every assessment starts with a short conversation, so I can make sure an assessment is the right next step and that I’m the right person to carry it out. Call me or send a message through the contact form and I’ll get back to you.
What do the acronyms on this site mean?
AMBDA: Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association. APC: Assessment Practising Certificate. BDA: British Dyslexia Association. PATOSS: Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties. SEND: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. SASC: SpLD Assessment Standards Committee, which sets the guidelines assessment reports follow. SpLD: Specific Learning Difficulty.
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