The assessment process
1. Pre-assessment checks (for diagnostic and comprehensive needs assessments only)
Before you get in touch, there're 2 things that are very helpful to have already explored as this can speed up the booking process:
Please ensure that the person being assessed has had a standard eyesight test in the past 2 years.
Even if there's no history of eyesight difficulties, we ask that signs of visual discomfort or disturbances are explored before the assessment date so that we have confidence in the assessment outcome. Please click on this link to the questionnaire and, if booking for your child, ensure that you ask them these questions.
Whilst you can book an assessment before the standard eyesight test has been conducted, the date may need to be pushed back if the optometrist advises that time's needed to get used to a new prescription for reading or that visual disturbances need to be addressed.
2. Booking an appointment
For all services (except Discovery Calls which can be booked here), it's often more efficient to email me or send a message through my website as I can then send you the information in writing but you can call me on 01342 714065.
If looking to book a diagnostic assessment or comprehensive needs assessment, please confirm whether the above pre-assessment checks have been carried out and provide some context for your enquiry. I'll then send you a link to my online booking system where you can choose a date/time and pay the deposit.
For parents looking to book an assessment for exam access arrangements, please let me know which school your child goes to, which school year they're in and whether you've been asked by the school to contact me. For adults sitting professional exams, please let me know the name of the exam board and the exam(s) you are sitting along with the documentation from the exam body stating exactly what evidence is required.
If booking a workplace needs assessment, please provide some context, such as whether you're the employee or employer and what's led to your enquiry.
3. Prior to the assessment
Except for exam access arrangements, I'll ask you to complete an online questionnaire at least 14 days before the assessment date. There may be questionnaires for others to complete too depending on the type of assessment being booked, such as for the school/college, your employee or your employer.
For exam access arrangements linked to GCSEs/A' levels, the school or college will need to send me JCQ form 8 before the assessment date with the relevant sections completed.
I appreciate that having an appointment with someone unfamiliar can be rather daunting and therefore I offer a free 5-10 minute Zoom 'hello' in the days just beforehand so the person who's seeing me can say 'hello', ask questions, etc.
You'll receive an email the weekend before the appointment with a few gentle reminders, such as what you'll need on the day. For 2 hour assessments, there'll be an attachment for children and young people which has a photo of me and some friendly information about what to expect.
4. On the day of the assessment if taking place at my home
If you're a parent, you're welcome to pop in to see my dining room which is where I assess. You can then return 2 hours later if your child is having a 2 hour assessment. Alternatively, you're welcome to stay in your car or in my garden. As well as outdoor seating areas, I have an insulated, heated outdoor garden cabin for parents to use. This has a comfy sofa and a TV with a FireStick where you can watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV-X, etc. All internal doors in my home are kept open and the patio door remains unlocked.
The photos below may be helpful for you/your child to see my dining room, my garden cabin, etc.
Please scroll through the photos
5. Afterwards
I offer immediate verbal feedback to explain my conclusion which, depending on the location of the assessment, might be in person or later on in the day over a phone call, Zoom chat or in a brief email. Those age 18+ will have the choice whether to hear the feedback alone or with someone else.
Regardless of who pays for the assessment, I send reports and referral letters within 14 days of the assessment to only those named on them (or those with parental responsibility if under the age of 18).