SENDIASS

Personal budget

For young people

What’s a Personal Budget?

A Personal Budget is money that can help pay for the support you need if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This plan is for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN).

The money can come from different places – like education, health, or social care – and it’s used to help you reach the goals in your EHCP.

 

Who looks after the money?

There are different ways your Personal Budget can be managed:

Who can get a personal budget?

Sometimes the local council might say no to giving you a personal budget – if they do, they must explain why. But you can’t appeal this decision in a tribunal.

 

What can the money be used for?

You can only use your personal budget for the support that’s written in your EHCP. That might include:

You can’t use it to pay for your school or college place, but it might help cover extra support (like specialist help or therapy) if your school or college agrees.

 

What’s the difference between a personal budget and a direct payment?

Personal budget

Direct payment

How they work together

 

How much will I get?

The amount you get depends on what your EHCP says you need. It is different for everyone because everyone needs different support.

 

Is it enough?

Your local authority must give you enough money to pay for the services written in your EHCP.

 

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