Dr Olenka Dean

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Educational Psychologist helping SENCos to enhance their assessment practices, so they can create comprehensive and tailored intervention plans that ensure timely support and better outcomes for children.

Do we really know the full story?When assessing a child, it's easy to focus on the behaviours we see in school.But witho...
26/02/2025

Do we really know the full story?

When assessing a child, it's easy to focus on the behaviours we see in school.

But without understanding their background, we're working with only half the picture.

🧐What do we know about their home life?
👶 Were there complications during birth?
🏡 Has their family experienced trauma or instability?
📚 How does their family feel about education?

Each of these factors shapes a child's development, learning, and well-being. We can't support them effectively if we don't truly understand what's going on.

So how do we gather this information?

The truth is, you don't need complicated questionnaires or lengthy forms.

A simple, open, and non-judgemental conversation with parents or carers can reveal so much.

As an EP, I always have joint consultation between school staff and parents.

And I'll be honest - sometimes, the dynamic can feel a little tense at first.

It takes time to build trust and balance the conversation - but every time, it's worth it.

💡 It helps staff hear a parent's perspective - even if they don't fully agree.
💡 It offers insights into what parents prioritise and how they see their child.
💡 It can even highlight parental needs, which in turn affect the child's experiences.

A more complete picture leads to better support.

And that starts with listening.

How do you gather background information? If this resonates, DM me the word "Smarter" to explore how to make your assessments more holistic and impactful.

Are we truly seeing the whole child?When we focus only on a child's difficulties in assessment, we risk missing the bigg...
24/02/2025

Are we truly seeing the whole child?

When we focus only on a child's difficulties in assessment, we risk missing the bigger picture.

Yes, identifying challenges is crucial - but what about their strengths?

What about the qualities that make them who they are?

Just today, I was writing about a child with learning and language delays alongside social communication differences. If I had only focused on these needs, the picture would have felt incomplete - clinical, even.

But weaving in his strengths? That changed everything.

🦖 His curiosity and enthusiasm for dinosaurs and LEGO weren't just hobbies - they were engagement tools.

🧲His spatial reasoning in building intricate structures with magnetic tiles hinted at strong problem-solving skills.

💡His perseverance - returning to tricky tasks even after frustration - wasn't just resilience; it was a strength we could build on.

🎭His imaginative play and storytelling skills gave us a key into his communication style.

By incorporating strengths into formulation, we do more than just paint a fuller picture - we unlock real opportunities for growth.

✅ Strengths give us entry points for learning.

✅They shift the narrative from deficit to potential.

✅They show us how to support a child, not just why they need support.

Every child has strengths. The question is - are we looking for them?

If you're ready to move beyond problem-focused assessment and start seeing the whole child, DM me the word "Smarter"—let's talk about how we can embed strengths into your assessments.

Ever since I was little, I loved being around kids.My parents always told me that I loved taking care of my baby cousins...
13/02/2025

Ever since I was little, I loved being around kids.

My parents always told me that I loved taking care of my baby cousins and I'd always rush to help someone who had been hurt.

Naturally, I always knew I wanted a career working with children.

What I didn't expect was that psychology would become such a key part of that journey.

I was all set to study medicine, but during my university application process, I suddenly had a realization that it wasn't the right fit for me.

It wasn't so much a sudden change, but more of a new confidence to carve my own path.

And that's what led me to psychology.

Fast forward to after university, when I was searching for my next steps and found the role of an Educational Psychologist.

It all clicked.

The more I explored different roles, the more I realized that being an EP gave me the chance to solve problems, support kids, and provide practical solutions, which sounded like my dream job!

Funny how, sometimes, you need that spark of confidence to make a big leap.

Just like when I decided to move from my role with a fantastic local authority team to create my own programme - I truly believed I could make a difference, and it was worth the risk.

How has your path evolved?

Do your assessment tools leave you with more questions than answers?You're not alone.As an Educational Psychologist, I'v...
10/02/2025

Do your assessment tools leave you with more questions than answers?

You're not alone.

As an Educational Psychologist, I've seen SENCos overwhelmed by the sheer number of assessment tools out there—unsure which one to choose, or whether they're even asking the right questions in the first place.

I constantly see posts like:

❓ "Which screener is best for Dyslexia?"
❓ "How do I assess working memory?"
❓ "I've got the Boxall—how do I use it effectively?"

The problem isn't just the tools. It's the mindset.

It's not about finding the "best" tool—it's about finding the right tool for the right question and the right child.

Here are the three questions I always ask before choosing an assessment tool:

1️⃣ What's the specific question I need answered? Will this tool help me find that answer?
2️⃣ Can the child access this assessment? Does it suit their language skills, cognitive abilities, and unique profile?
3️⃣ Will the results guide meaningful support? If not, why waste the child's time—or yours?

One SENCo told me, "We use the same tool for everything, but it doesn't always fit."

That's the issue. A one-size-fits-all approach misses the nuances of a child's needs.

When you expand your toolkit and your confidence in using it:

✅ You save time.✅ You reduce stress.✅ You create personalised support plans that actually make a difference.

Ready to make smarter, more informed assessment choices?
DM me the word 'Smarter' and let's start the conversation.

Do you feel confident you've done everything possible before asking for external help?As an Educational Psychologist, I ...
04/02/2025

Do you feel confident you've done everything possible before asking for external help?

As an Educational Psychologist, I often hear SENCos express guilt about referring cases externally. One SENCo told me, "I just want to know I've done my best before I ask for help." It's a sentiment that resonates with many, especially when resources feel stretched.

Without a structured approach to assessment, it's hard to feel confident that you've explored every in-school option. This uncertainty can lead to hesitation or over-reliance on external referrals.

Smarter assessment practices give you clarity and assurance. They help you systematically explore all avenues, ensuring you've taken the right steps before seeking external support.

With a solid framework in place, you can approach external professionals with confidence, knowing you've done everything possible for the child.

If this is something you're working towards, DM me the word 'Smarter' to start the conversation.

Exciting news: My first in-person workshop for the Smarter Assessment Programme! 🎉After months of delivering training an...
29/01/2025

Exciting news: My first in-person workshop for the Smarter Assessment Programme! 🎉

After months of delivering training and support online, I'm thrilled to be planning my first in-person workshop for a Multi-Academy Trust!

This session is all about Smarter Assessment - helping SENCos move from feeling overwhelmed by pupil needs to having a clear, structured approach that leads to earlier interventions, better outcomes, and reduced reliance on external professionals.

While I love the accessibility of working online, there's something so powerful about being in the room together - sharing insights and seeing those "lightbulb" moments happen in real time.

If you're part of a group of SENCos or MAT looking to strengthen your assessment practices and give your SENCos the confidence to make smarter decisions, let's chat. I'd love to bring this training to more teams!

Drop me a message or comment below if this sounds like something your setting could benefit from.

The #1 thing SENCos should avoid if they want to put in place clear, targeted and impactful interventions for pupils in...
28/01/2025

The #1 thing SENCos should avoid if they want to put in place clear, targeted and impactful interventions for pupils in their setting...

Let me share something I've noticed time and again in schools....that you might be doing without realising!

Picture a well-meaning, hardworking SENCo confidently sharing a pupil's challenges with me during an assessment.

"This child has [difficulty]," they'll say.

When I ask how they know this, the response often lacks assessment data to back it up.

It's not that they're wrong...it's that they're working from a hunch or theory.

💡Here's the thing...when we're supporting pupils, we must be so careful to distinguish between assumptions and evidence.

💡Jumping to conclusions without robust data can lead us down the wrong path, delaying the right support for the child.

💡The best assessments are not about confirming hunches but about systematically gathering and analysing data to uncover the full picture.

💡When we do this, the next steps become clear, targeted, and impactful.

❓How do you ensure your assessments are evidence-based? Let me know in the comments!

👉Or if you want to learn how to carry out systematic, evidence-informed assessments that lead to clear, targeted and impactful interventions for the children in your setting then DM me the word 'Smarter'

As an EP, I am in awe of SENCos on a daily basis.Your role is incredibly complex, juggling everything from supporting st...
23/01/2025

As an EP, I am in awe of SENCos on a daily basis.

Your role is incredibly complex, juggling everything from supporting students, managing staff, navigating admin, all while carrying the emotional weight of ensuring every child's needs are met.

It's a role that demands passion, resilience, and tireless effort.

💡But here's the thing: the key to making a bigger impact isn't about working harder; it's about working smarter.

That's where Smarter Assessments comes in.

Over the years, I've seen SENCos spend endless hours trying to figure out complex student needs, often feeling frustrated when the pieces don't quite fit.

❓What's missing? A clear, systematic approach to assessments that uncovers the real barriers to learning and leads to targeted, effective interventions.

In my Smarter Assessment Practices Programme, I teach SENCOs how to:
✅ Use goal-directed hypotheses to focus their assessments and make them more precise.
✅ Save hours by cutting out guesswork and aligning their efforts with psychology-informed tools.
✅ Collaborate confidently with stakeholders using clear evidence and actionable recommendations.
✅ See measurable improvements in student outcomes—faster.

❓ And the best part?

⭐You'll achieve all of this in just 90 days.

👉If you're ready to feel confident, make a bigger impact, and finally reclaim some of your time, DM me 'Smarter'.

❓Too many kids, not enough EP time?It's a reality we're all grappling with: the national shortage of Educational Psychol...
22/01/2025

❓Too many kids, not enough EP time?

It's a reality we're all grappling with: the national shortage of Educational Psychologists means there isn't enough time for early intervention or preventative work.

Statutory assessments are priority, and by the time children reach an EP, they've often been struggling for far too long.

💡But here's the thing—early support is critical.

When needs are identified and addressed early, children get the help they need to thrive.

When this doesn't happen, unmet needs escalate, making interventions more complex, time-consuming, and costly.

❓What if I told you that as a SENCo, you could fill this gap?

⭐By honing the 'assess' part of the graduated response, you can identify needs more effectively—without waiting months or years for an EP.

Through my Smarter Assessments programme, I teach SENCos the problem-solving process that many Educational Psychologists use to:

👉Systematically assess pupils' needs.

👉Link those needs directly to meaningful, actionable interventions.

👉Build confidence in their decision-making and advocacy.

The result?

⭐For pupils: Early support, reduced distress, and improved outcomes in learning and wellbeing.

⭐For you as a SENCo: Clarity, confidence, and a systematic approach that saves you time and makes a real impact.

If this resonates with you, DM me the word 'Smarter' to find out more.

22/01/2025

Is your child receiving ELSA at school?

I'm currently developing videos to support parents of primary children who receive ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and I need your help! 🙌

I know your time is precious, so if you can, please spare a few minutes to share your insights using the link below👇

https://forms.office.com/e/0R9MyRtcPi

Your insights will be so valuable in making sure these videos are as helpful as possible to the families who need them.

Thank you for supporting this important work! ❤️



Surrey SEN parents SEN Parent Support Group Alton and Bordon SEN Parents SEN Parents Support Group UK Parent's Advice UK Group Moms with kids with anxiety Parents of children with autism Parents of Children with ADHD Parents of Anxious Children Support Group

22/01/2025

🚨 Calling all ELSAs! 🚨

I'm currently developing videos to support parents of primary children who receive ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and I need your help! 🙌

If you're an ELSA, could you please share the link to my questionnaire (below 👇) with the parents of the children you support?

https://forms.office.com/e/0R9MyRtcPi

Their insights will be so valuable in making sure these videos are as helpful as possible to the families who need them.

Thank you for supporting this important work! ❤️



ELSA support

❓If you're putting strategies in place but they are not working, this could be why…Over the past 10 years as an Educatio...
21/01/2025

❓If you're putting strategies in place but they are not working, this could be why…

Over the past 10 years as an Educational Psychologist, I've learned one vital truth:

💡When strategies fail, the root cause often lies in the assessment process.

If you don't fully understand why a pupil is struggling - what's driving their behaviour, learning challenges, or emotional responses - then even the best strategies can fall flat.

💡 Without a thorough, systematic assessment, it's like trying to fix a problem without knowing what's broken.

When you do assess systematically, the difference is transformational:
⭐For the pupil: They get tailored, effective support that helps them thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
⭐For the SENCo: You gain clarity, confidence, and a structured approach that saves time and reduces stress.

That's exactly why I created the Smarter Assessments programme - to help SENCos like you pinpoint the missing pieces in your assessments, align them with effective interventions, and see real, measurable outcomes.

If you want to assess smarter, so you can rely less on external referrals and see a significant improve in student outcomes in your settings without losing more time, DM me the word 'smarter'.

Address

Guildford
GU2

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