We are now closed for Christmas, to give our hard-working team, processing more applications than ever before, the chance to rest and recharge. Applications will reopen on Wednesday 7 January 2026, 9am.

When we reopen, we will have made some changes to our criteria, to ensure that our vital support reaches the households in the most need. Find out more.

Additional education support

For families with a child who may have one or more:

  • anxiety or other mental health issue and is struggling with their current school - considering a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school, defined as a Special Educational Need (SEN)
  • a child threatened with exclusion where the current school is unable to meet the child's special educational needs
  • where a SEN has been assessed, but the current school is unable to meet the need
  • where a family are waiting for an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) assessment
  • where an EHCP is in place but the current school or local authority are not delivering the appropriate support
  • a child with a medical or health condition where the current school is not appropriately meeting their educational needs
  • a child experiencing ongoing bullying and where the current or other local schools are deemed inappropriate
  • a child who is home-educated and Education Otherwise Than In A School (EOTAS)

We can provide education support through our Visiting Caseworker service which will review SEN provisions, apply for EHCP, appeal decisions, provide advocacy and help with accessing benefits.

Where appropriate, we may provide a grant towards an Educational Psychologist (EP) report and Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment.

 

Education support documentation

Before you apply, we encourage you to contact our grants team

Please provide with your application:

  • Documentation such as SEN assessment, EHCP and EP
  • Relevant letters with the school, health professionals and local authority
  • Your verification document(s)

Please note: it is unlikely we would fund private school fees for a specialist SEN independent school as most children should be funded by the local authority.

Please do not make an application for Additional Education Support without contacting a member of the Grant & Services team first, to discuss your circumstances.

Independent Education

We may be able to provide help towards private school fees where there is a compelling special educational need for a child to attend an independent school.

For example:

  • a specific educational need
  • medical/health issues affecting a child or their family
  • the local school being in special measures
  • bullying

Note: any application would be reviewed by our education advisor

Please contact the Grants and Services Team to discuss your needs and the potential costs involved before applying.

 

Independent Education documentation

Please note:

  • a recent Education Psychologist (EP) report may be required. If an EP is required and you do not have one, we may be able to support the costs under a Health Grant.

Please provide with your application:

Please do not make an application for Independent Education without contacting a member of the Grant & Services team first, to discuss your circumstances.

Home school costs

We can consider supporting the costs of home educating and EOTAS for a temporary period of time, usually for children aged 7 to 18.

The Visiting Caseworker team will review applications to ensure that local authorities a providing sufficient funding. Eg. where a child is medically unable to attend school, home education should be funded.

Where parents have removed children from school due to reasons other than special educational needs or illness, funding might not be approved.

Annual reviews

Recipients of support for home school costs must apply annually for further assistance. If circumstances remain the same, a further year of funding may be approved. Details of any changes need to be provided prior to the start of the new academic year, ideally in June or July.

 

Home school costs documentation

Please provide with your application:

  • Details of the child's education provision
  • How your immediate household meets one of the criteria
  • Your verification document(s)

Please note: your case may be referred to our independent Education Advisor when a child is due to commence secondary education or has reached 6th form age.

Please do not make an application for Home School Costs without contacting a member of the Grant & Services team first, to discuss your circumstances.

How to apply

If your household meets any of the points in this criteria, please call our Grants Team on 0800 389 5192 before you apply.

Apply

Questions and guidance