St James House Assessment Centre, Kent 

Understanding the child before making decisions about their future 

 

The St James House Assessment Centre has been established by OMG Education and the OMG Foundation in partnership with Giggs to improve access to support for children and young people with neurodevelopmental differences, SEND and additional needs. 

​

The centre forms part of the wider vision for St James House, bringing together assessment, specialist education and opportunities for young people in one place.

​

Why we established the centre

​

This project was created because too many families find themselves waiting for answers, navigating complex systems and struggling to access the support their children need. 

​

OMG Education has seen first-hand how children can be misunderstood when needs are not identified early enough. Families are often left trying to work out what support is needed, where to access it and how to navigate an increasingly complex system. 

​

For Giggs, the journey is personal. He has spoken publicly about his own experiences of autism, the challenges he faced during education and the difficulties involved in securing the right support for his own children. Those experiences highlighted how difficult it can be for families to access assessments, understand the system and find appropriate provision. 

​

The St James House Assessment Centre has been developed to provide a clearer, more supportive pathway for families by helping children and young people access assessment, guidance and support in one place. 

​

Our vision 

​

We believe every child has strengths, talents and potential. 

​

When children are properly understood, families, schools and professionals are better able to make informed decisions about the support, provision and opportunities they need. 

​

This vision aligns with the wider Academy of Super Minds initiative, which is built on the belief that different minds can create different futures. 

​

The Needs and Strengths Profile 

 

The St James House Needs and Strengths Profile is a holistic assessment designed to help families, schools and professionals build a clearer picture of a child’s strengths, needs and next steps. 

 

It is particularly helpful for children and young people who may be: 

• Awaiting assessment 

• Exploring possible neurodevelopmental differences 

• Experiencing difficulties in school 

• At risk of suspension or exclusion 

• Requiring additional support 

• Seeking evidence to support future referrals and specialist assessments 

 

The profile does not replace specialist diagnostic assessments. Instead, it provides families with valuable evidence, recommendations and a clearer route towards appropriate support and further assessment where required. 

​

What is included? 

​

Every Needs and Strengths Profile may include: 

• Parent and carer consultation 

• Child or young person’s voice 

• Strengths-based profile 

• Neurodiversity screening 

• Learning profile 

• Identification of barriers to learning and participation 

• Individual Learning Plan (ILP) 

• Recommendations for school 

• Recommendations for home 

• Evidence summary to support future referrals and assessments 

• Follow-up consultation 

​

The assessment journey 

​

Step 1: Referral and initial conversation 

The journey begins with a referral from a parent, carer, school, local authority or another professional. 

 

We start by listening. 

We want to understand: 

• What concerns have led to the referral 

• What support has already been provided 

• What strengths the child demonstrates 

• What outcomes the family hopes to achieve 

 

This conversation helps us identify the most appropriate pathway for the child or young person. 

 

Step 2: Gathering the child’s story 

 

Before assessment takes place, we bring together information from the people who know the child best. 

This may include: 

• Parent and carer views 

• School information 

• Previous reports 

• Medical information where relevant 

• Attendance information 

• The child or young person’s own views 

 

Too often families find themselves repeating their story to different services. Our aim is to bring that information together in one place. 

 

Step 3: Assessment 

 

Every child is different, so assessment pathways are tailored to individual needs. 

Depending on the concerns identified, assessment may include: 

• Educational assessment and screening 

• Literacy and numeracy assessment 

• Review of learning and development 

• Social, emotional and wellbeing assessment 

• Communication and interaction screening 

• Strengths and interests profiling 

• Child or young person interviews 

• Consultation with schools and professionals 

 

Our focus is on understanding the whole child while identifying both strengths and areas where further support may be required. 

​

Step 4: Access to a multi-disciplinary team 

 

The Needs and Strengths Profile is often the first step on a wider journey. 

​

For some children, the profile and Individual Learning Plan will provide enough information to support immediate changes at home and in school. For others, the findings may indicate that further specialist assessment, therapeutic support or additional evidence gathering would be beneficial. 

​

Where additional support is required, families can access a network of experienced professionals through the St James House Assessment Centre. 

​

Depending on individual needs, this may include: 

• Educational Psychology 

• Speech and Language Therapy 

• Occupational Therapy 

• Neurodevelopmental Assessment Pathways 

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Services 

• Counselling 

• Creative Arts Therapies, including Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy and Play Therapy 

• SEND and Inclusion Specialists 

 

Our role is not only to identify strengths and needs, but to help families understand: 

• What evidence already exists 

• Whether further assessment is needed 

• Which specialist assessments or therapies may be most appropriate 

• How to access additional support 

• What practical steps can be taken immediately

​

Ongoing support through the EHCP process 

 

We recognise that many families require support long after an initial assessment has been completed. 

 

Where appropriate, the St James House Assessment Centre can continue to support families throughout different stages of the EHCP journey, including: 

• Gathering and organising evidence 

• Identifying appropriate assessment pathways 

• Understanding professional reports 

• Supporting referrals for further specialist assessments 

• Contributing evidence to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments 

• Helping families understand recommendations and next steps 

• Supporting preparation for review meetings 

• Working alongside schools and professionals to ensure recommendations are implemented effectively 

 

Our aim is to ensure families feel supported throughout the process, rather than receiving a report and being left to navigate the system alone. 

 

By bringing expertise together in one place, we aim to make the process more joined-up, easier to navigate and less overwhelming for families. 

 

Families should not have to start again each time they speak to a different professional. The St James House model has been designed to build a clear pathway from identification, to understanding, to specialist assessment, therapeutic support and ongoing guidance where required. 

​

Step 5: Understanding the bigger picture 

 

Assessment findings are brought together to answer four key questions:

1. What are this child's strengths

2. What barriers are they experiencing?

3. What support do they need?

4. What should happen next?

 

This stage helps ensure assessment findings are translated into practical recommendations and meaningful action. 

 

Step 6: Written report and recommendations 

 

Families and professionals receive a written Needs and Strengths Profile including: 

• Strengths and interests 

• Areas of need 

• Learning profile 

• Neurodiversity screening outcomes 

• Barriers to learning and participation 

• Practical recommendations 

• Suggested interventions 

• Individual Learning Plan 

• Referral pathways where appropriate 

• Clear next steps 

 

Reports are written in accessible language and designed to be used by families, schools and professionals. 

 

Step 7: Planning the next step 

 

Assessment should be the beginning of a journey, not the end of one. 

Depending on the findings, families may choose to: 

• Implement recommendations immediately at home and in school 

• Access additional specialist assessments 

• Explore neurodevelopmental assessment pathways 

• Gather evidence to support referrals 

• Seek support through SEND services 

• Access counselling or therapeutic support 

• Explore Alternative Provision pathways 

• Consider specialist educational provision where appropriate 

 

Because the St James House Assessment Centre works alongside a multi-disciplinary network of professionals, families can access further assessment and support pathways without having to start the process again. 

 

The St James House model has been designed to provide a connected pathway for children and families, helping them access support at the right time. 

 

Family support and guidance 

 

Many parents feel overwhelmed by the systems around SEND, neurodiversity and education. As part of the St James House pathway, families can access guidance and support to help them: 

• Understand assessment findings 

• Navigate the EHCP process 

• Communicate effectively with schools and professionals 

• Understand reports and recommendations 

• Make informed decisions about next steps 

• Access relevant services and support 

 

Review and progress meetings 

 

Needs change over time. Families can access review meetings to: 

• Monitor progress 

• Review the Individual Learning Plan 

• Update recommendations 

• Consider whether further assessment or support is required 

• Ensure that provision remains appropriate 

 

A whole family approach 

 

We recognise that SEND, neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing can impact the whole family. 

Our aim is to provide a supportive environment where children, young people and families feel listened to, informed and empowered. 

​

What happens after the Needs and Strengths Profile? 

​

Some children will leave with recommendations that can be implemented immediately. 

Others may benefit from additional specialist assessment, therapeutic support, EHCP involvement or educational provision. 

​

Whatever the next step, the St James House team will help families understand their options and access appropriate support. 

​

What makes us different? 

Many families leave assessments with more questions than answers. 

Our aim is different. 

We want families to leave with: 

• A clearer understanding of their child 

• A detailed Needs and Strengths Profile 

• An Individual Learning Plan 

• Practical recommendations that can be implemented immediately 

• Evidence that may support future specialist referrals and assessments 

• Greater confidence about next steps 

• Access to a multi-disciplinary team where further support is required 

• Ongoing support through the EHCP process where appropriate 

 

We do not believe families should have to wait years before receiving support. 

The Needs and Strengths Profile provides a practical starting point while helping families make informed decisions about future assessment pathways where appropriate. 

 

Accessible and affordable support 

The vision for St James House is rooted in accessibility and social justice. 

​

Many families cannot afford private assessments costing thousands of pounds. We want to provide meaningful support that helps children and young people immediately, while also giving families evidence that may support future referrals and specialist assessments. 

 

By bringing expertise together in one place, we aim to provide a service that is both affordable and genuinely useful. 

 

Our commitment 

​

The St James House Assessment Centre was created because every child deserves the opportunity to be understood, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. 

​

We support families beyond assessment and throughout their journey. 

​

By working alongside families, schools and professionals, we aim to help young people access the support, opportunities and futures they deserve. 

​

For more information, please contact us at info@omg.school