Multi-Disciplinary Assessment

For complex SEND presentations, single-discipline assessment rarely captures the picture. A child who reads at age 9 but cannot follow a 3-step instruction needs an EP for cognition, a SaLT for language, a paediatrician for medical and developmental history, and (often) an OT for sensory and motor. Each discipline sees something the others miss. A multi-disciplinary assessment integrates the findings.

In an NHS autism pathway, the multi-disciplinary team typically includes: a paediatrician or child psychiatrist (medical lead, ADI-R / 3Di), a clinical psychologist or specialist autism nurse (ADOS-2), and a SaLT (language and communication profile). The team meets to integrate findings into a single diagnostic conclusion. NICE CG128 sets this as the standard.

In an EHC needs assessment, the multi-disciplinary input is built in by regulation 6: six advice strands (EP, school, parent, child or young person, health, social care, plus others where needed). The LA's role is to draw these together into Sections B and F of the EHCP. The strength of an EHCP rests on whether the LA has properly integrated the multi-disciplinary picture. Many do not, treating each strand as separate paragraphs in Section B rather than weaving them.

For complex profiles (autism plus ADHD plus dyslexia plus DCD plus anxiety) a true multi-disciplinary picture is the only way to get Section B and F right. Independently-commissioned multi-disciplinary assessment (an Independent EP, an Independent SaLT, an Independent OT, and where needed an Independent paediatrician working together) is sometimes the only way to get a parallel picture to the LA's, particularly where the LA's commissioned advice is brief.

Cost varies. A coordinated independent multi-disciplinary assessment for an EHCP-ready report set typically runs £2,000–£5,000 depending on the disciplines required and the seniority of the practitioners. For complex profiles approaching tribunal, this can be the single most cost-effective investment.