Dr Olenka Dean

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FAQs About the Smarter Assessments Programme

Uncategorized Nov 25, 2024

 

When I created the Smarter Assessments Programme, I wanted it to be more than just another professional development course—I wanted to empower SENCos to transform their approach to assessments. Because this is such a unique way of working compared to traditional educational psychology consultations, I’ve put together this FAQ to demystify the process and give you a clear picture of what it’s like to work with me.

If you’ve ever felt like your assessment process could be more effective or are curious about whether this programme is right for you, read on!

Who will I work with?

I’m an experienced Educational Psychologist with over 10 years experience of working alongside schools to support children with additional needs. During my career, I’ve assessed hundreds of pupils with a range of complex challenges and collaborated with SENCos, teachers, and other professionals to develop tailored support plans that make a real difference.

I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming the role of a SENCo can be—juggling assessments, interventions, compliance, and communication with parents and external agencies. That’s why I designed the Smarter Assessments Programme specifically for SENCos who are ready to streamline their processes and feel more confident in their assessments.

My goal is to support SENCos like you to build a clear, systematic, and psychology-informed approach to assessments that saves time, reduces stress, and, most importantly, gets children the help they need.

How do I know if this is the right programme for me?

Start by taking a look around my website and social media. My posts are filled with insights into assessment and psychology-informed practices. If you find yourself nodding along or thinking, Yes, this is exactly what I need, then the programme is likely a great fit for you.

Here are some signs that the Smarter Assessments Programme might be what you’re looking for:

  • You feel stuck. You know a child is struggling, but you’re unsure how to dig deeper into their needs or how to prioritise next steps.
  • You’re juggling too much. The time it takes to pull together evidence and reports for external referrals leaves you feeling overwhelmed.
  • You want to be more confident. You’re ready to ditch the guesswork and adopt a psychology-informed approach that links assessment to actionable interventions.
  • You care deeply about getting it right. You’re driven to identify children’s needs early, support them holistically, and help them thrive.

If this resonates, let’s chat. You can DM me on social media or drop me an email—I’m happy to answer any questions.

What happens in the programme?

The Smarter Assessments Programme runs over 90 days, combining structured learning with tailored support to ensure your success.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  1. Five comprehensive modules
    These cover the key stages of a smarter assessment process:
    • Developing goal-driven hypotheses.
    • Selecting the most appropriate tools for specific needs.
    • Understanding how to link assessments directly to effective interventions.
    • Collaborating with stakeholders and writing actionable intervention plans.
  2. Five one-to-one consultations
    These personalised sessions are your opportunity to apply the learning directly to your school context. We’ll look at real cases, troubleshoot challenges, and refine your approach.
  3. Bonuses
    • Lifetime access to the online course materials, so you can revisit them whenever you need.
    • Templates, guides, and frameworks to simplify your practice.
    • An audit of your current assessment and interventions.
    • Access to me between sessions for any quick questions or guidance.

At the end of the programme, you’ll have transformed the way you approach assessments—saving time, improving outcomes for children, and feeling confident in your skills.

Where, when, and how often will we work together?

Where: Sessions are held online. This makes it easy to fit into your schedule, eliminates the need for travel, and allows us to work flexibly no matter where you’re based.

When: I offer sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, with before- and after-school slots for SENCos who struggle to find time during the school day.

How often: The programme includes five consultations. These are typically spaced evenly over 90 days, but we can adjust the schedule to suit your needs.

How much does it cost?

The full programme is £997, which includes:

  • Five one-to-one consultations.
  • Lifetime access to the online course materials.
  • All bonus resources to support your learning.

This is a cost-effective investment that provides lasting benefits for you, your pupils, and your school. It’s designed to save time, reduce reliance on external assessments, and ensure children get the right support earlier.

What happens at the end?

By the end of the programme, you’ll:

  • Have a clear, systematic framework for assessing needs in your setting.
  • Be confident in linking assessments to interventions that work.
  • See improvements in pupil outcomes—and feel proud of the difference you’ve made.

If you’d like to continue working together, I offer ongoing supervision sessions to support you as you embed this framework in your school. These sessions will allow us to refine your skills further, troubleshoot challenges, and continue improving outcomes for your pupils.

 

What if I need to cancel a consultation? Can I get a refund?

I have a cancellation policy that requires 2 days’ notice. If you give sufficient notice, rescheduling is usually possible. Refunds aren’t available for late cancellations, but I’ll do my best to accommodate genuine emergencies.

Can I contact you between sessions if I’m struggling?

Absolutely! One of the programme’s key benefits is that you’ll have my support between sessions. If you’re stuck or need guidance, just reach out—I’m here to help.

Is what we talk about confidential?

Yes, sessions are confidential. Discussions about children in your school must remain anonymous—no identifying information is shared.

There are two exceptions:

  1. Supervision: I receive clinical supervision from another EP to ensure I provide the highest quality support. All discussions are anonymised, and my supervisor is bound by the same professional confidentiality standards.
  2. Safeguarding: If I have concerns about someone being at risk of harm, I am legally required to act. For safeguarding issues, I will report concerns to your school’s DSL.

Any other questions?

If there’s anything I haven’t covered here, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a DM on social media or email me directly.

The Smarter Assessments Programme is designed to transform how you assess and support children, and I’d be thrilled to guide you through it. Let’s make assessments smarter, more efficient, and more impactful—together.

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