How to write an EHCP personal budget (England)

In England, some EHCPs include a personal budget—not pocket money for families, but a transparent breakdown of costs attached to provision so that you can discuss how services are arranged. Section J of the plan may record details when relevant. Understanding vocabulary ("notional", "third party", "direct payment") stops meetings drifting into confusion when you ask for flexibility.

Notional, third-party, and direct payments—in plain English

A notional budget means money is notionally attributed to your child's provision but managed by the school or LA—you see clarity on cost drivers without handling cash yourself. Third-party arrangements involve an organisation holding and deploying funds according to the plan. Direct payments (where permitted) mean money flows in a way that gives families more purchase responsibility within agreed safeguards—not a blank cheque and not automatic for every therapy wish.

Link every pound to Section F wording

Personal budgets make sense when Section F names provision tightly enough to price: hours of therapy, specialist teaching approaches, equipment, travel to provision. If Section F says "access to SALT as required", nobody can meaningfully attach consistent figures—push first for specificity that matches your child's needs and outcomes. Provision mapping explains why schools sometimes resist vague plans they cannot timetable or fund honestly.

What to put in a written request

Summarise the provision line you want reflected flexibly, why current delivery is inefficient or poorly matched, your proposed alternative (provider, schedule, transport assumptions), risks mitigations, and how outcomes in Section E will be measured. Ask explicitly for a breakdown discussion suitable for Section J where applicable—not because drama helps, but because transparency reduces disputes later.

When requests meet refusal or fog

Authorities must give clear reasons when declining direct payments where relevant regulations apply; procedural fairness still matters even when you dislike the answer. Cross-check timelines for mediation and appeals where EHCP content itself is disputed—not merely invoice formatting. Tribunal preparation and statutory rights anchor what is—and is not—negotiable.

Evidence outside spreadsheets

Therapy letters, missed-session logs, email trails showing delayed equipment orders—these justify why flexibility or clearer budgets matter clinically, not only financially. Our EHCP evidence guide walks through organisation habits that survive scrutiny when budgets touch sensitive provision disputes.