For parents and carers
Funding support that fits your child.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, or one is being written, you can ask your local authority for a personal budget. It gives you more say in how some of your child's support is arranged, including support from a provider that isn't on the council's usual list.
What is a personal budget?
An amount of money the local authority identifies to deliver some of the provision in your child's EHC plan. It doesn't add to what your child is entitled to; it changes who arranges the support, and how.
When can I ask for one?
While the plan is written
Once the council agrees to issue an EHC plan.At an annual review
When your child's plan is reviewed each year.At a reassessment
If your child's needs are being reassessed.
How it can be managed
Direct payment
The money is paid to you, and you arrange the agreed support.Arranged by the council
The council holds the money and commissions the support.Third party
An organisation holds and manages the money for you.A mix
A combination of the options above.
Does the provider need to be on an approved list?
Not always. Many councils keep an approved list or framework of providers, but they can also agree to fund other provision when it meets the needs in the EHC plan. It's the council's decision, so it's worth asking.
How to ask
- 1
Talk to your SEND caseworker
Your caseworker is the council officer who manages your child's EHC plan. - 2
Put your request in writing
Name the support you'd like funded, for example RESTA AP, and keep copies. - 3
Share our information
We can send a clear, costed quote and a description of the provision for your caseworker. - 4
The council decides
If they say no, you can ask them to explain why and to look again.
Helpful tips
- Ask for a personal budget to be discussed at the next review.
- Keep notes of calls and dates.
- Your local SENDIASS service (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support) gives free, impartial advice.
- Every council works slightly differently.
Find out more about how we work with families on our page for parents, or talk to us about what to ask your caseworker.
This page gives general information, not legal advice. Personal budgets are set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
Every referral starts with a conversation.
Talk to us about your child, and we'll provide a clear, costed quote you can share with your caseworker.