Assitance with funding for a child with additional educational needs

kezlou

Hello,

I've already posted this in another section of forum under the Student Money section but i think it put it under the wrong part as it seems to be geared more towards adults.

So if this in the wrong section please the admins remove it thanks

I was wondering if anyone knew of any grants / schemes for children who are under the age of 16 yrs and have additional educational needs.

My son is 8 years old and is currently under the Special Educational Needs Register we are currently applying for an Educational Statement so we i.e me and the SENCo can apply for additional funding for him.

As its very hard to get a statement due to budget cuts and the school resources are very tight i'm trying to get him some additional one-to-one work, equipment etc just to help him whilst he's at school and at home.

Any assistance, advice, pointers, basically anything help whatsoever would be great.

Thanks

kez

peachyprice

Try your local occupational therapist, mine were very helpful and had loads of equipment we could borrow. They also ran groups such as handwriting and activities to help with co-ordination.

duchy

I think you need to be very specific about what the extra funding is for .
For example if it is for a laptop an approach to a commercial company for sponsorship might be appropriate .

I found making a case to the LEA with properly researched casework was the way to go though (My son was eventually funded for fees at a private school with very small classes) but let the SENCO guide you as they know the resources available, the procedures and any quirks specific to your LEA. It's also useful to join local parent's support groups as you'll meet other parents who have dealt locally with the same obstacles and may have useful advice.

Without knowing more that's about as specific as my advice gets.

Jamie_Carter

I presume you have applied for DLA?

julie03

if you get DLA you can apply to the family fund, if you are on any of the benefits on their website, ie housing benefit

http://www.familyfund.org.uk/

kezlou

Hi everyone thank for your replies and taking the time to read.

Thanks for the advice duchy, that was really helpful. I'm planning on a meeting with her this week, as we are about to put in for a Statement with the LEA.

I haven't applied for DLA yet and me and my partner don't really want to be honest. Also the process is a nightmare apparently.

My thinking if i can get some extra funding maybe we could pay for extra tuition for English and Maths either in or outside of school.

He currently receives one-to-one support off an amazing lady, so ideally would like some money to pay to have her assist him for an extra hour or two a week.

Maybe equipment such a laptop or extra books, a special grip for pencils etc.
The OT gave me two pencil grips but they were both stolen out of my sons tray.

Jamie_Carter

kezlou wrote: »

Hi everyone thank for your replies and taking the time to read.

Thanks for the advice duchy, that was really helpful. I'm planning on a meeting with her this week, as we are about to put in for a Statement with the LEA.

I haven't applied for DLA yet and me and my partner don't really want to be honest. Also the process is a nightmare apparently.

My thinking if i can get some extra funding maybe we could pay for extra tuition for English and Maths either in or outside of school.

He currently receives one-to-one support off an amazing lady, so ideally would like some money to pay to have her assist him for an extra hour or two a week.

Maybe equipment such a laptop or extra books, a special grip for pencils etc.
The OT gave me two pencil grips but they were both stolen out of my sons tray.

I would apply for DLA as soon as the statement comes through. Many organisations seem to use DLA as a guide that someone does have a disability. So as well as the DLA for your son, and a carers allowance for yourself, it may also help you get grants. Otherwise some organisations may take the attitude 'why should we give them a grant, if they aren't even claiming what they are entitled to?'. If you see what I mean.

kingfisherblue

DLA is for care and/or mobility needs, so it is not always appropriate for children with a learning need. For example, my nephew has severe dyslexia. He has no care or mobility needs and is not entitled to DLA, but he does need additional support in school. His parents bought him a laptop, as his primary school assessed him as needing one, but his secondary school has put different support in place for him.

kezlou

Its hard though to claim for DLA as the process is very tedious, laborious and puts extreme pressure on the child especially when they assessing. This instantly puts me off.

I keep being told by everyone i should claim DLA as my son is on the autistic spectrum so he should easily be granted it. But then i hear other stories where the child is put through rigorous assessment. To be honest if my 8 year old had to go through that he would have a mental and physical breakdown. Something i'm trying to my hardest to stop him from having to experience especially at such a young age.

kingfisherblue - exactly my son has no mobility problems and attends mainstream school. He does know have issues and has complex needs and needs additional support in school.

this is also one of the reasons why i do not think my son would qualify for DLA.

Its so hard to decide which path is the right way to go. you have my sympathies kingfisher. hope you get something sorted out.

stiltwalker

Hi Kezlou,
DLA is a s0d to apply for and I'm not sure about older kids but in my case the pressure was all on me - it was heartbreaking to fill in the form and to detail all the different things that DD is unable to do. For us it was a clear cut case that DD is entitled as she is 3 and has significant physical and communication problems - not yet walking and unable to speak clearly enough for anyone other than me to understand, amongst other issues. It is not just about mobility though, that is just one aspect and if your DS needs significantly more assistance than other children his age with various things such as needing encouragement and reminding to do things or assistance with communication then you may well get lower rate care which would be sufficient to open doors such as family fund.

This site http://www.lovethewayiam.co.uk/ has a whole heap of funding options but will depend upon eligibility criteria.

julie03

my son gets dla and has autism and was not assessed at all, i havent heard that they assess the children,

yes the forms are hard but my form was filled by CAB and she just asked the questions and i answered and she told me to tell her the absolute worse. it was very draining and a negative experience but only 2 hours of my life.

but getting dla has enabled access to money so i can send my son to clubs to help his social skills and get tuition for him and also the family fund.