DfES Specific Learning Difficulties Working Group Guidelines for the Application for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) 2005

Area: Educational

From the academic year 2007/2008 applicants for the DSA will be required to present their Local Authority Awards Officer with a report provided either by an applied psychologist or a teacher holding a Specialist Teachers SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate. There are also guidelines within the report as to the expected format of a report and the assessment instruments to be used. It is possible that these requirements will also implemented with regard to the application for FE streams of funding and exam considerations.

Specialist teachers may presently obtain a Practising Certificate either from Patoss or Dyslexia Action. They will need to have completed a recognised AMBDA course accredited by the British Dyslexia Association or demonstrate that they have relevant qualifications in both teaching and assessment. It has been agreed that the British Psychological Society Certificate of Competency in Educational Testing, CCET, Level A is a relevant qualification for the assessment component.

To become an assessor for CCET, i.e. to run a training course, you must be a Chartered Psychologist and have a Certificate of Competency in Educational Testing. There is a need for more training courses to be established.

 FAQs - SpLD Working Group 2005 DfES Guidelines.pdf