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Wondering how to fund tutoring through your child’s EHCP?
Discover how personal budgets and direct payments work, what tutoring they can cover, and how to put together a clear, outcomes-led request that gives your child the best chance of approval.
EHCP personal budgets can feel confusing. You have to work out funding options, check what your child qualifies for, and decide how to use the money well. On top of that, you may be searching for the right tutor too. It’s a lot to manage.
A personal budget is the amount of money your Local Authority (LA) sets aside to fund the support in Section F of your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It isn’t a free pot of cash. It’s a set sum meant for the specific needs listed in the plan.
There are three main ways to receive a personal budget:
Many families like personal budgets because they offer choice. You can pick your preferred provider, tailor support to your child, and often get help in place faster.
You usually have the right to suggest how the budget is used and to choose your own tutor or provider. But the LA must agree to the overall package. Your plan for the money should clearly link to the support and outcomes in the EHCP. That keeps it appropriate and accountable.
If tutoring will take place on school or college grounds, you also need the headteacher’s or principal’s consent. Without that consent, the LA can’t make a direct payment for support delivered in school.
The LA can refuse a personal budget or direct payment in some cases. For example, it may say no if the support is part of a block contract or if there are concerns about how the money would be managed. If your request is refused, you have the right to ask for a formal review.
You can ask for a personal budget at set points in the EHCP process:
Ask early. Local processes and timelines vary a lot. Start the conversation with your SEN caseworker as soon as you can. If you wait until a final decision, you may have fewer options.
To fund tutoring through a personal budget, it must clearly link to your child’s needs, support, and outcomes in the EHCP. Vague phrases like “extra help” rarely work. Instead, use outcomes-led language that shows why the tutoring is needed and what it will achieve.
Tutoring funded by a personal budget is meant to add to school and LA support. It does not replace the LA’s legal duties under Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014. It helps to explain this boundary clearly and kindly, so there’s no confusion about who is responsible for what.
A strong request usually includes the following.
Tip: Ask your SEN caseworker if the LA has a preferred form or template. Many do, and using it can speed things up.
You and the LA can reasonably ask a tutor or provider for the following. This helps confirm quality, safety, and accountability.
Set a simple communication routine from the start. A short written update every four to six weeks can keep everyone informed, including the tutor, family, school, and LA where relevant. This keeps your child’s progress at the centre. Always get consent before sharing updates, in line with GDPR and privacy rules.
It can also help to create a “what helps me learn” profile for your child. This sums up their strengths, triggers, and the strategies that work in sessions. It means your child doesn’t have to keep explaining their needs to different people. It also supports consistency across settings. A sensory profile can also be helpful, as available here.
Agree early who will get reports, in what format, and how data will be shared, especially across more than one organisation. Setting this out at the start keeps expectations clear, responsibilities defined, and data sharing safe.
Personal budgets can give families real choice and flexibility over how EHCP support is delivered, including SEND tutoring. To get the most from them, use outcomes-led language about your child’s needs and set out a clear package of support. Keep talking openly with your LA, school, and provider so everyone works towards the same goals.
Your next step: Contact your local SENDIASS service for free, independent advice. They can help you understand your options and make informed choices. And start the conversation with your SEN caseworker early to lay strong foundations.
If you’re considering a tutor for your child, Bright Heart specialises in nurturing, one-to-one tuition for children with SEND, whether you’re using an EHCP personal budget, direct payment, or funding privately.
Our person-centred approach is built around your child’s strengths and unique needs, and we provide the information LAs typically request, including Enhanced DBS checks, comprehensive safeguarding policies, and tutors trained in person-centred SEN approaches through Nasen. A free consultation with one of our UK-qualified education consultants (QTS) helps us understand your child’s needs, and a refundable trial lesson makes sure the match feels right before you commit.
You’ll also receive an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with SEMH and SMART academic targets, plus lesson reports after every session which is useful for keeping families, schools, and LAs aligned on progress.
Get in touch to discuss how we can support your child.
The LA usually agrees on the overall package and how the funding is used. In many cases you can choose your own tutor or provider. The LA may ask for assurance first, such as qualifications, a DBS, and a safeguarding policy, before confirming the arrangement.
Sometimes, but only if the headteacher or principal agrees. If the school says yes, set out a clear plan and name a contact to help coordinate.
Usually, you should keep invoices or receipts, session logs, and brief progress notes that show how the support links to EHCP outcomes. Check with your LA, as some councils have their own templates or extra requirements.
Ask the LA in writing what evidence or information is missing. Refine your outcomes and package based on their feedback. If needed, see whether a notional or third-party managed arrangement might suit better than a direct payment.
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