An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is put in place after a child or young person between the ages of 0 to 25 years old has an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.
Once the assessment is complete, if they need additional Special Educational Needs support that can only be provided through an Education Health Care plan, the EHC plan is put in place to meet their needs and to get the best possible outcome for them in education, health and social care.
The Education, Health and Care plan is maintained by the Local Authority and is important for the child as they grow, not only through their time in education but also as they prepare for adulthood.
If you need help and advice about provisions not being met from your child or young person’s Educational Health Care plan, get in touch with our Education Solicitors.
We're rated‘Excellent’If your child is issued an Education, Health & Care plan by the Local Authority, they will identify an amount of money to deliver the plan. You can request a personal budget once you see the draft copy of the EHC plan.
A personal budget is used to secure the provision specified in the EHC plan. That means you, as a parent or the young person themselves, can directly obtain and pay for the provision to meet the special education needs identified in the plan if you decide to receive Direct Payments. Otherwise, the budget would be managed by the local authority.
Personal Budgets reflect all the provision contained in an EHC plan, and can include funding for education, health and social care provision.
A parent, carer or a young person has a right to request a personal budget when the Local Authority has completed an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment and confirmed that it will prepare an Education Health Care plan.
If there is an existing plan in place and there is a statutory review, there is also a right to request a personal budget during this review.
But there are some exceptions to the right to a personal budget.
If you’re not happy with a decision from the Local Authority’s about your child’s provision, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. We advise how to appeal, what restrictions you may face and how we can help.
If your child has Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), adequate provision for them must be made for them at their school. When parents are unhappy with a decision made on their child’s behalf by their Local Authority, they have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
The Local Authority will review your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) when your child transfers into a different phase of their education
The Local Authority does not have to provide a personal budget in some circumstances. If, for example, splitting funds would have a negative impact on services that were arranged or provided by the Local Authority to a large group of individuals or if splitting funds would not be a good use of resources. This could be true where the Local Authority could obtain services for a reduced amount if purchased in a larger package of support. But the Local Authority must consider each individual request for one. They have a duty in law to make this consideration.
If your Local Authority cannot provide you with a personal budget, they will advise you and try to find other ways to personalise the services your child or young person can access.
Your child’s personal budget can be received in four different ways. They are:
A parent only has the right to access a personal budget whilst their child is under the age of 16. After compulsory school age (the end of the academic year in which they turn 16) , the young person has their own rights, but parents can manage a budget on their behalf.
A personal budget can clearly benefit a child or young person because they can have greater control over who meets their needs. This is especially clear when a personal budget is received in Direct Payments.
Your child or young person must be given an indication of the total amount needed to secure the provision specified in their EHC plan. The Local Authority should agree how the provision will be secured through the personal budget. This will help you or your young person to decide if they want the personal budget to be allocated to them.
If you decide for your child, or your young person decides to receive their personal budget through Direct Payments, the Local Authority must identify the agreed provision in a written letter of notice. They must also make sure that the total amount agreed provides for all provisions necessary to meet your child or young person’s needs.
Some parents and young people use the term ‘Direct Payment’ when referring to their personal budget but there are three key differences between a personal budget and a Direct Payment, although a direct payment is still a form of personal budget. These differences will help you decide if Direct Payments will work for your child or young person.
Deciding which option to choose for your child or young person can be difficult, but there is help and advice available. Your Local Authority should give you everything you need to make that with all the facts, but often, sadly, they don’t.
If you’re struggling to navigate an EHC plan and personal budgets, we can help you. Get in touch with one of our specialist Education Solicitors and SEN Lawyers.
Fill in the form below to get in touch with one of our education law team, or call our team today on: 0808 239 9764
