Can Parents Use a Personal Budget to Pay for Alternative Provision?

When your child is struggling to attend school or access full-time education, it can feel incredibly stressful. You may be trying to understand what support is available, who is responsible for arranging it, and whether you have any choice over the type of help your child receives.

For some families, one option that may be discussed is a personal budget. This can sometimes be used to help arrange support for a child or young person with an Education, Health and Care Plan, also known as an EHCP.

Parents often ask us:

Can I use a personal budget to arrange alternative provision for my child?

The answer is: possibly, but it depends on your child’s EHCP, their individual needs, and what the local authority agrees.

This guide explains what a personal budget is, how it can work, and how families may be able to use one to access alternative provision, 1:1 tutoring, mentoring, or other specialist education support.

What is a personal budget for an EHCP?

A personal budget is an amount of money identified by the local authority to help secure some of the support written into a child or young person’s EHCP.

It is important to know that a personal budget is not simply extra money given to parents to spend freely. It must be linked to the provision described in the EHCP and agreed by the local authority.

For example, if an EHCP says a young person needs specialist teaching, mentoring, emotional regulation support, or a flexible education package, parents may ask whether some of this support could be arranged through a personal budget.

What are direct payments?

Sometimes, a personal budget can be taken as a direct payment. This means that money is paid to the parent, young person, or another agreed person so they can arrange the agreed support themselves.

There are different ways a personal budget can be managed:

• Direct payments — money is paid to the parent or young person to arrange agreed support.

• Notional budget — the local authority, school or college keeps the funding but involves the family in decisions about how it is used.

• Third-party arrangement — another organisation manages the money on behalf of the family.

• A mixed approach — using more than one of the options above.

For some families, direct payments can offer more flexibility and choice. However, the local authority must agree that the proposed support is suitable and that it will meet the needs and outcomes in the EHCP.

Can a personal budget be used for alternative provision?

In some cases, yes. A personal budget may be considered for alternative provision if the support is linked to the special educational provision in the child’s EHCP.

Alternative provision may be helpful when a child or young person is unable to access mainstream education in the usual way. This could be because of:

• EBSA, or emotionally based school avoidance

• Anxiety or low confidence

• SEND needs

• SEMH needs

• Autism or ADHD

• Reduced attendance

• A reduced timetable

• Risk of suspension or exclusion

• Difficulties with reintegration

• Waiting for a suitable school placement

• Needing education other than at school

The key point is that the provision should not be separate from the EHCP. It should support the needs, outcomes and provision already identified in the plan.

When might parents ask about a personal budget?

You may want to ask your local authority about a personal budget if:

• Your child has an EHCP, or an EHCP is being prepared.

• Your child is not coping in their current education setting.

• Your child is struggling to attend school.

• Your child needs a more flexible or personalised education package.

• Your child needs 1:1 tutoring, mentoring or specialist support.

• You feel the current support is not meeting your child’s needs.

• Your child is on a reduced timetable or not receiving suitable full-time education.

• You have found an alternative provision provider who may be able to help.

A personal budget may be especially relevant where a child needs carefully planned support to rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning, or move towards a suitable school placement or reintegration plan.

What should parents ask the local authority?

If you are considering this route, it can help to ask clear questions. You may wish to ask:

1. Can a personal budget be considered for my child’s EHCP provision?

2. Which parts of my child’s EHCP could be included in a personal budget?

3. Could the personal budget be arranged as a direct payment?

4. Would the local authority consider alternative provision as part of the support package?

5. What evidence do you need from the provider?

6. How would the provision be reviewed?

7. What outcomes would the provision need to support?

8. Who would be responsible for monitoring the arrangement?

It is also helpful to ask for any decisions in writing so you have a clear record of what has been discussed.

What information can help support your request?

When asking about a personal budget or direct payment for alternative provision, it can help to gather as much useful information as possible.

This may include:

• Your child’s EHCP

• Attendance information

• School reports

• Annual review paperwork

• Educational psychology reports

• Medical, CAMHS, occupational therapy or speech and language reports

• Information about why the current provision is not working

• Details of the alternative provision you are requesting

• The proposed timetable or number of hours

• How the support would meet your child’s needs

• How progress would be reviewed

• Safeguarding information from the provider

The clearer the information, the easier it is for the local authority to understand why the support is being requested and how it could help your child.

What if the local authority says no?

Sometimes, a local authority may decide not to agree to a personal budget or direct payment. If this happens, you can ask them to explain the reasons clearly.

You may also be able to ask for the decision to be reviewed.

If the disagreement is really about what is written in your child’s EHCP, the type of provision they need, or the school or setting named in the plan, you may wish to seek independent SEND advice.

Useful sources of support can include:

• Your local SENDIASS service

• IPSEA

• Contact

• A SEND solicitor or specialist adviser

This blog is intended as general information only and should not be treated as legal advice.

How Best Foot Forward can support young people

Best Foot Forward provides bespoke 1:1 tutoring, mentoring and alternative education support for young people who are struggling to access full-time mainstream education.

We support learners with a range of needs, including:

• EBSA

• Anxiety

• SEND

• SEMH

• Autism and ADHD

• Low confidence

• Reduced timetables

• Attendance barriers

• Reintegration challenges

• Young people awaiting a suitable placement

All tutoring is delivered by qualified teachers, and our mentors have relevant experience from previous roles supporting young people with educational, emotional and social needs.

Our approach is flexible, relationship-led and focused on helping each young person rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and take positive next steps.

Can Best Foot Forward be used as part of a personal budget?

Where a family, school or local authority is considering alternative provision, Best Foot Forward can provide clear information about the support we offer.

This may include:

• The type of provision we can deliver

• Proposed hours and structure

• How support would be tailored to the young person

• Staff experience and suitability

• Safeguarding arrangements

• Review and reporting processes

• How provision can support EHCP outcomes

• How we can work towards reintegration or next steps

Parents who are considering whether a personal budget or direct payment could be used should speak directly with their local authority. If appropriate, we can provide information to help families and professionals consider whether our provision may be suitable for the young person’s needs.

Final thoughts

If your child is struggling to access school, it is understandable to want support that feels more personalised, flexible and responsive to their needs.

A personal budget can sometimes give families more involvement in how EHCP provision is arranged. However, it must be agreed by the local authority and linked to the support identified in the EHCP.

For some young people, a carefully planned alternative provision package can provide a vital bridge back to learning, confidence and stability.

If you would like to discuss whether Best Foot Forward may be suitable for your child or a young person you are supporting, please get in touch or visit our referral page:

How to refer to us