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LEARNING INSIGHTS undertake a wide range of legal work within the fields of special education law and medical negligence. We are instructed by both Claimants and Defendants, however it should be said from the outset that we are independent practitioners and not by nature adversarial. Our preference is always to find a way to communicate the needs of an individual in such a manner that all parties involved feel heard, understood and fairly treated. Such is the nature of courts, tribunals and appeals, that it is not always possible to reach satisfactory outcomes without the intervention of more challenging processes and procedures.

As psychologists we are bound by our own code of ethics which can be obtained from the British Psychological Society - our registering and chartering body. If you would like access to this you will find them and their register of expert witnesses at www.BPS.org.uk . This code of ethics requires we meet the needs of the individual client be they an adult, company, organisation or a child and their family. This is therefore our starting point.

In the nicest possible way, it does not really matter what claim, charge, appeal, challenge or ruling is being sought; from our perspective, we will simply deliver our best assessment of the individual and their needs, independent of any purpose to which that assessment will be used.

Having had extensive court and tribunal experience for children, and employment appeal work for adults, we are aware that certain information is required. Reports need presenting in certain ways. There are practices and procedures that we must observe both in the preparation and production of the report, and in our appearance as an expert witness.

HOW WE WORK
At LEARNING INSIGHTS we will work with whomever represents you or your organisation, to ensure we are fully briefed and that we are clear about the purpose and expected outcomes.

However, to re-iterate, whilst we are comfortable knowing our reports will be open to challenge, dispute and verification, we continue at all times to abide by our code of ethic. In term of assessment this is to accurately, objectively, roundly, rigorously and honestly describe the individual, their diagnosis, needs and treatment based on fair, formal, standardised assessment procedures, including data gathering from the individual, other sources and using our best skill and judgement as independent psychologists.

We will state a diagnosis clearly, we will comment on the impact of this diagnosis for the individual and the context in which they have to perform. We make recommendations for managing and treating such a diagnosis in the future, and we will comment on where practices and demands may have eased or exacerbated a diagnosed condition. This is necessary where individuals are possibly needing to re-think their career direction and would like help in this respect, and also for younger adolescents needing to think about career choices.

We are very clear that whilst we may be commissioned by solicitors, barristers, insurance companies, and other individuals and organisations, we prepare reports that address learning and educational needs and not medical and legal questions. It is for the specialist representative of the client to extract what is relevant and appropriate for their needs from the report we present.