Joint assessment meetings: For parents and carers

The aim of the meeting is for the educational psychologist, you and the professionals who know your child well to work together to produce psychological advice.

This advice will be sent to the SEND Statutory Team at Devon County Council. This way of working enables everyone involved to develop a shared understanding of your child’s needs and the support required to meet those needs.

Before the meeting, it is helpful to know that:

• the meeting will be no more than two hours long and held at your child’s school or setting – before the meeting, the educational psychologist may meet with your child for them to do some activities together and they will share information about these activities at the meeting
• it helps if you can read through the information sheet for children and young people with your child to help prepare them for the meeting if you feel they are able to attend
• you do not need to prepare anything to bring to the meeting – all you need to bring is the knowledge that you already have of your child

During the meeting we hope to co-produce a view of:

• your child’s hopes and dreams for the future and what you or they think about school
• what your child is good at and whether they have any barrier to their learning

We will use the information shared in the meeting to make clear and realistic recommendations about your child’s support. We will agree goals for your child to work towards over the next stage of their education. These goals will be based on yours, and their hopes and dreams for the future.

If a JAM is taking place for your child, a member of staff from the school or setting or the Educational Psychology Service will make contact with you to arrange a date for the meeting.

Your views are very important to us. We appreciate your time to attend a JAM. For more information on the role of an educational psychologist please watch this useful video.