Educational and Child Neuropsychology Services in Cambridge
Dr Ashely Smith
Educational & Child Psychologist
BSc (Hons), PGCE, MSc, DProf
Specialities
Neurodevelopmental and Complex Needs
Educational Systems and Inclusive Practice
Leadership and Organisational Change
Training, Facilitation, Supervision and Reflective Practice
Multi-agency Collaboration
Communication and Relationship Building
Therapeutic Approaches
Trauma-informed practice
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Systemic consultation
Psychodynamic and relational approaches
Locations
Cambridge - East of England and surrounding areas
Remote (on-line)
A Bit About Me
At Neurokids, Dr Ashley Smith brings an educational psychology perspective to supporting children and young people with neurodevelopmental and complex needs. Drawing on his experience as a teacher, school leader and local authority Educational Psychologist, he helps families, schools and health professionals understand how a child’s strengths and needs show up in everyday life. He works with them to make practical changes that help the child engage in learning, take part and feel they belong.
Ashley has over a decade of experience in education and currently works as an Educational Psychologist in Cambridgeshire. He founded Nova Vista Psychology Ltd in 2025 and holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership and a Professional Doctorate in Child, Community and Educational Psychology (DProf). He leads continuing professional development within his educational psychology service, with a particular interest in supervision, training and reflective practice.
Through his specialist link role with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Ashley works with multidisciplinary teams across neurodevelopmental and mental health pathways. He also has experience in Tier 4 services, supporting young people admitted to hospital and working with hospital schools and community education services to help them continue their education. This experience informs how he helps families, schools and health professionals coordinate support when a child’s educational, neurodevelopmental and mental health needs overlap.
Ashley’s practice draws on trauma-informed, relational and psychodynamic approaches, with an emphasis on systemic consultation. Guided by his philosophy of ‘reflect, reframe and renew’, he takes a calm, collaborative approach to helping the adults around a child consider what the child may be experiencing and agree on ways to support them across home, school and community settings.
Ashley is also the editor of Expanding Possibilities for Inclusive Practice, a publication exploring approaches to inclusion.
Explore the Specialist Support We Offer
We support children’s mental health needs with evidence-based approaches like CBT, systemic therapy and trauma-focused interventions. Psychology therapy provision is goal focused to promote well-being and empower children and families to manage challenges effectively.
EDUCATIONAL
PSYCHOLOGY
Through assessments and tailored interventions, we support children and young people to manage educational challenges, develop skills and achieve their full potential. We work with families and educational professionals to foster positive relationships and promote inclusive practices.
We conduct assessments to identify cognitive strengths and challenges, providing information to inform interventions and rehabilitation. Our assessments address needs such as behaviour, learning, memory, attention, executive functioning, and social-emotional regulation.
We specialise in working in the medico-legal setting providing expert witness neuropsychology and educational psychology assessments. with comprehensive evaluations, impartial reports, and tailored recommendations and prognosis. We assist Claimants and Defendants, providing unbiased opinion to inform legal proceedings.
Our approach is assessment-led and formulation driven. Support is and evidence-based, grounded in neuropsychological formulation and developmental understanding. We provide clear, impartial opinion to inform clinical, educational, rehabilitation, and medico-legal decision-making, with intervention where clinically indicated.
We are registered practitioner psychologists (HCPC) who provide neuropsychological, psychological and educational services for children and young people with a range of complex needs. Including assessment, therapy, rehabilitation, MDT input, teaching/ training, and expert opinion across health, education and legal contexts.