Practising Certificate

Anyone conducting assessments for people with dyslexia and SpLD for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) is required to obtain a Practising Certificate.

The Dyslexia Guild issues Practising Certificates to eligible candidates and can offer training and support to anyone who wishes to become eligible. Click here for the Practising Certificate Code of Practice.

To find out more about obtaining your Practising Certificate in Assessment for SpLD follow the links below.

What is a Practising Certificate?
Why do I need a Practising Certificate?
How do I obtain a Practising Certificate?

What is a Practising Certificate?

A Practising Certificate entitles the holder to assess students for eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs).

It is issued in recognition that you have relevant knowledge about dyslexia and SpLD, and have experience and competence in assessment. The Department for Education and Skills now requires that teachers and others who undertake specialist assessments are competent and qualified to do so.

Practising Certificates are issued for a period of three years by the Dyslexia Guild. It is a requirement to maintain your membership of the Dyslexia Guild throughout the 3 years covered by the Practising Certificate.
To renew your certificate you will have to demonstrate that your knowledge and skills are being kept up-to-date through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Dyslexia Action provides CPD and training courses to enable you to do this through professional discussion, training and practice.

Why do I need a Practising Certificate?

You are required to have a Practising Certificate if you carry out assessments for Disabled Students' Allowances for anyone in post-16 schools, colleges, universities, workplace training establishments and local authority assessment centres, from June 2008 onwards.

Currently a Practising Certificate is required for assessments for Disabled Students' Allowances, but it is anticipated that it may acquire a wider currency for assessment generally eg special examination access arrangements.

Many organisations now require their current staff to obtain a Practising Certificate as it recognises that they have the knowledge, skills and competence to assess the detailed needs of individuals studying or training, who need financial and other support.

Practising Certificates are issued for a period of three years by the Dyslexia Guild, Dyslexia Action's professional body. It is a requirement to maintain your membership of the Dyslexia Guild throughout the 3 years covered by the Practising Certificate. 
To renew your certificate you will have to demonstrate that your knowledge and skills are being kept up-to-date through CPD.

Dyslexia Action provides CPD and training courses to enable you to do this through professional discussion, training and practice.

The Department for Education and Skills set up the National Committee for SpLD Assessment Training and Practice (SASC) to establish and oversee standards in the diagnostic assessment of SpLD in an educational setting. The authority for this committee and its remit stem from the SpLD Working Group 2005/Department for Education and Skills Guidelines. The committee seeks to extend the principles of good practice contained in the Guidelines across all age ranges and throughout the profession.

SASC has authorised Dyslexia Action, via the Dyslexia Guild, to issue Assessment Practising Certificates. Margaret Rooms, who manages the Dyslexia Guild, represents Dyslexia Action on SASC.

To view the full SASC information please click here.

If you have questions, click here for our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

How can I obtain a SpLD Assessment Practising Certificate?

There are four 'routes' to achievement of the Practising Certificate. You may already be qualified or you may require more training. Dyslexia Action can fulfil all your training and evaluation needs. Currently Routes One, Two and Three are available. Route Four describes the steps you need to take if you are new to the dyslexia/SpLD sector and you need advice on how to train to teach and assess from scratch.

Route One.  For those with Associate Membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) or equivalent. Click here for further details.

Route Two.  For those with a portfolio of evidence of teaching and assessment. Click here for further details.

Route Three.  For teachers who have a background in SpLD theory and teaching practice (but not at AMBDA level) and have completed a course specifically geared to understanding the principles of assessment. Click here for further details.

Route Four. If you are new to the dyslexia/SpLD sector and wish to train to teach and assess. Click here for further details.

This flowchart provides an overview of the four routes.