Personal SEN budgets
A personal SEN budget is an amount of money identified to deliver all or some of the provision set out in an education, health and care (EHC) plan.
You can request a personal budget once an EHCP assessment is completed and it is confirmed that an EHCP is to be prepared. Or during a statutory review of an existing plan.
We have to consider your request and offer information to help you decide the best course of action.
The personal budget will reflect the whole of the EHCP and will be based on clear, agreed outcomes. The decision making process to establish and agree a budget is transparent and challengeable.
A personal budget can be managed through:
- direct payments - you get the money in your account to pay for services yourself
- third party arrangements - you choose an individual or organisation to manage the funds for you.
Personal SEN budgets are not usually given to parents/carers or young people who go to a state-funded or independent specialist educational settings. This is because they get all the money to provide the provision needed.
If a parent, carer, or young person wants a personal SEN budget they must get permission from the head teacher or principal and governing body of the educational setting first. This is so the chosen provider can deliver the provision on the premises. If they do not agree, the personal SEN budget cannot be given whilst the child or young person attends that setting.
If a personal SEN budget is agreed and you need some extra support managing your budget, you can phone the Self-Directed Support Team on 01634 331 351 or email sdsadmin@medway.gov.uk.
How to apply for a personal SEN budget
A personal SEN budget can be considered to make the provision detailed in section F of a child or young person’s EHCP.
If a personal SEN budget is awarded, it will be made via a direct payment to the child’s parents or carers, or to the young person.
This enables parents/carers or the young person to pay for the provision from their chosen provider.
To apply for a personal SEN budget a request needs to be made either:
- when the proposed, final or amended final EHCP is issued
- through the EHCP annual review
- or via a specific request in writing to your SEN officer.
The provision for which you would like a personal SEN budget must be detailed in section F of the EHCP, or evidence must be presented at the annual review to show that this is a new need for which provision is required.
In each case, you will need to provide a written report or assessment from your chosen provider together with a quote for the provision.
If a personal SEN budget is awarded, you must seek the permission of the headteacher and school’s governing body to allow your chosen provider to work with your child/you in the educational setting.
The headteacher and governing body has the final say in the decision.