Child First PLUS is delighted to be working with Honeybee Psychology – a small, friendly independent educational psychology service, run by Kathy Gayton.
Honeybee Psychology is a small, friendly independent educational psychology service, run by Dr Kathleen Gayton and working with schools and families across Essex and Suffolk. Kathleen uses a neurodiversity affirming, strengths-based and solution-oriented approach, offering direct work with children and support for members of school staff and families. The services offered by Honeybee Psychology complement and enhance the statutory and non-statutory services available from Essex and Suffolk Educational Psychology Services, providing additional capacity and different options, approaches and expertise.
Kathleen works with several local schools, who commission regular EP visits or individual assessments.
As with allChild First PLUS Services, the rates agreed are transparent and clear. Schools are able to contact Kathy to arrange support and will simply be invoiced for work commissioned at the end of each month.
Before referring for a piece of work, schools are invited to contact Kathy to discuss their concerns and to agree on the work to be completed. Her contact details are below. Once a visit date is agreed, Kathy will send out an appointment letter, terms and conditions document, a background information questionnaire and a parental consent form. Signed parental consent is always required for assessments and consultations. For assessments, Kathy also sends an information sheet for a teacher or parent to share with the child, to prepare them for her visit. Schools should always ensure that they have the required information to meet their own safeguarding checks.
You can find more information about Kathy’s practice, Honeybee Psychology at:
Offer to Schools 2023-24
How to Commission EP Services from Dr. Gayton
If you are interested in commissioning educational psychology support for your school, please get in touch with Dr. Gayton to discuss your school’s needs. Honeybee Psychology offers flexible service delivery options. There is no minimum or maximum number of visits; the service is focused on supporting the needs of the children and staff members in your school.
Please contact Kathleen by email if you would like to make a date for a visit. Once a visit date is agreed, Kathleen will send out an appointment letter, a background information questionnaire and a parent/carer consent form. Signed parental consent is always required for assessments and consultations. For assessments, Kathleen also sends an information sheet for a teacher or parent to share with the child, to prepare them for her visit.
Charge for Services
Kathleen works on a fixed-fee basis. This means that you know exactly how much the service will cost before the work takes place. Kathleen does not charge for travel in Essex or Suffolk. An appointment letter including costs will be emailed, alongside referral paperwork.
Services Available
All assessments are planned to meet the individual needs of the child and to answer the specific referral questions raised by the school. Before an assessment or consultation, the school will be asked to complete a short referral questionnaire, which assists with planning the visit. Signed parental consent is required and reports should always be shared with families.
| Service | Approx. EP time commitment | Fee |
| Individual assessment
All assessments involve: A meeting with parents or carers A meeting with the child’s class teacher Observation in class Individual assessment work Review of paperwork/ discussion with SENCO A brief feedback consultation at the end of the visit · Assessment activities include standardised cognitive and attainment assessments, listening to the child’s views, dynamic assessment, play-based assessment activities, Motivational Interviewing and solution-focused discussions and a wide range of other assessments, tailored to the needs of the child. This can include screening for neurodevelopmental differences, if needed, with a view to making recommendations for further specialist assessments. · Within 3 weeks, schools receive a full and detailed written report, which explores the child’s identified strengths and needs, includes a psychological formulation and provides recommended outcomes and provision. · This report can be used as part of a request for an EHC needs assessment/EHCP review or to develop the child’s One Plan. |
7-10 hours, including preparation and report writing time. | £750.00 |
| School/ Family Consultation
· Time in school is spent observing and talking to the child. This is followed by a solution-oriented school/ family consultation to co-create next steps. · Within 3 weeks, schools are sent a consultation record, including a clear outline of the agreed support plan and next steps. |
3-5 hours, including preparation and record writing time.
Kathleen will schedule two consultations across a morning visit. |
£375.00 |
About Dr Kathleen Gayton
Kathleen trained as an Educational Psychologist in 2005 and has worked in three Local Authorities, including Essex. Prior to this she was an infant teacher and SENCO. Kathleen has experience of working with children in preschool, primary, secondary and specialist provisions and has interests in working in partnership with families, children impacted by disability and developmental trauma, promoting inclusion of neurodiverse children, executive function, and in promoting emotional well-being in schools. She is very experienced in carrying out assessments, including with children with specific learning difficulties, and multiple and complex needs. Kathleen has undertaken further study in systemic practice and family therapy at the Institute of Family Therapy, as well as additional training in supervision, psychodynamic approaches, solution-focused practice and Motivational Interviewing. She is a certified Executive Function Coach. Kathy completed her doctorate in Educational, Community and Child Psychology at The Tavistock Clinic, where her research focus was on disabled children starting school.
Kathleen is registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and meets their regulatory requirements for supervision and professional development. She is chartered as an educational psychologist with the British Psychological Society and is a member of the Division of Educational and Child Psychology. Kathleen has an enhanced DBS check and is registered with the DBS update service. Kathleen will bring her DBS form to the school on her first visit. Kathleen has up to date level 2 safeguarding training. Her data protection practices are compliant with GDPR legislation.
Contact Details
You can find more information about Kathleen’s practice, Honeybee Psychology at:
You can email Kathleen at:
kathleen@honeybee-psychology.co.uk
You can call Kathleen on:
07795 514881
You can expect a response within three working days, during school term time
Schools interested in working with Kathy can contact her on:
Tel: 077956154881 Email: kathleen@honeybee-psychology.co.uk
About Dr. Kathy Gayton
Kathy trained as an Educational Psychologist in 2005 and has worked in a number of Local Authorities, most recently in Essex. Prior to this she was an infant teacher and SENCO. Kathy has experience of working with children in preschool, primary, secondary and specialist provisions and has particular interests in working in partnership with families, early years support, including children with complex needs and in promoting emotional well-being in schools. She is very experienced in carrying out cognitive and learning assessments, including with children with specific learning difficulties and multiple or complex needs. Kathy has undertaken further study in systemic practice and family therapy at the Institute of Family Therapy, as well as additional training in supervision, psychodynamic approaches, solution-focused practice and Motivational Interviewing. As well as managing Honeybee Psychology, a small and friendly independent educational psychology practice, she is currently researching parents’ experiences of their disabled child starting school at The Tavistock Clinic in London.
Kathy is registered as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and meets their regulatory requirements for supervision and professional development. She is chartered as an educational psychologist with the British Psychological Society. Kathy has an enhanced DBS check and is registered with the DBS update service. Kathy will bring her DBS form to the school on her first visit. Kathy has up to date safeguarding training. Her data protection practices are compliant with the new GDPR legislation.
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