Deborah Cobbing

Where there is evidence of need, students can be assessed from the age of 7. Students must be considered developmentally able to access the assessment.

It is important that all clients are aware that whilst an assessment may result in a diagnosis of dyslexia, I cannot guarantee that a diagnosis will always be given, especially in the case of young children. However, as a result of the assessment, I will be able to identify areas of strength and weakness and give specific recommendations based on the assessment to help with future teaching/learning.

In all cases, previous assessment reports/diagnosis/diagnoses and any current ECHP or learning plans must be shared with the parental questionnaire within 2 weeks of booking.

Cancellation

If you need to cancel an assessment, please email deborah_cobbing@yahoo.co.uk and text 07779 041151.

If I am notified of the cancellation at least 14 days before the appointment, the deposit will be refunded.

If less than 14 days’ notice is given, then it will be necessary to charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the balance and the deposit will not be refunded.

If you do not attend your appointment, 50% of the balance is due and the deposit will not be refunded.

In the unlikely event that I am unable to complete the assessment on the agreed date, for example, due to illness or bad weather, alternative dates will be offered as quickly as possible.  If that is not possible, deposits will be refunded in full.

If you need to rearrange an assessment date, this can be done with 24 hours’ notice.  Missed appointments are non-refundable.

I maintain annual registration with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico). Registration ref: ZB407234

Every client is asked to sign a data protection form to agree that their information is maintained by the assessor.

The purpose of collecting a client’s data is to enable information to be gathered which is relevant to carrying out an assessment and producing the subsequent report.

Regulated artificial intelligence (AI) may be used in a limited capacity with anonymised data to assist in the accessibility of language used in reports.

The client’s personal information is collected and processed both in hard copy and electronically.

All those with parental responsibility must agree to the commissioning of an assessment report for children under the age of 18.

In advance of the assessment, clients will be asked to agree the recipient(s) of the report in writing.

I offer the option of a secure Proton email address for sending and receiving data. For this data to be fully encrypted, I recommend that clients also set up a free Proton email account using the website: Proton: Privacy by default.
It is very easy and only takes a few moments. That way we can share information more securely. Once clients have set up your Proton email they can send data to: deborah_cobbing@pronton.me If clients would rather not set up a Proton account, we can email one another in the usual way. Reports will still be password protected.

It is recommended that clients also share all data with me in a password protected format.

Electronic information is stored in a file with two-factor authentication security within a remote domain, which is password protected. Hard copies of data are destroyed once the client has received the report.

No personal information is ever shared with a third party unless prior agreement has been given.

The client is invited to check the report before final publication, to ensure that they are satisfied with accuracy and sensitivity relating to personal details.

Assessment records are not retained longer than needed. You have the right to request that your data be deleted at any time and can do this by sending me an email. If you need a copy of your assessment report, please ask for this via email.

All enquiries should be sent via email to deborah_cobbing@yahoo.co.uk

If you think your data has been misused or it has not been kept secure, you should contact me and tell me.

If you’re unhappy with my response, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or get advice from the ICO.

A summary of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

I believe that:

Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.

I have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

I recognise that:

The welfare of children is paramount in all the work I do and in all the decisions I take.

Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.

Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

Extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse and this includes children with SEND.

I will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

valuing, listening to and respecting them;

acting as child protection lead for children and young people;

adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice; 

developing and implementing effective online safety procedures;

recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance (more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/for organisations);

sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families;

making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern;

using my safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately;

ensuring that I provide a safe physical environment for my children and young people by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.

I request that a parent/carer stay throughout an assessment.  

I hold an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) which is updated every three years. Last date of issue: 12th June 2025.

I undertook safeguarding training on 29/01/2024.

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000