SENDSorta - Parent Carer Apps

16/06/2026

13/06/2026

https://www.sendbudget.co.uk/


Manage EOTAS budgets easily at sendbudget.co.uk — simple, secure.

12/06/2026

The 3 levels of SEND funding

A lot of parents hear words like:

Element 1
Element 2
Element 3
Top-up funding
High-needs funding
Exceptional needs funding

…and nobody explains what they actually mean.

In simple terms:

Element 1 is the basic funding every school gets for pupils.

Element 2 is the school’s SEN support funding. This is usually expected to cover the first level of additional SEN support.

Element 3 is different.

Element 3 is top-up or high-needs funding. It is usually used when a child needs support above what school is normally expected to provide from its own budget.

Different local authorities call it different things.

But the point is the same:

If your child already receives Element 3 funding, ask why.

Because that usually means someone has already accepted that your child needs special educational provision beyond ordinary classroom support.

That can be powerful evidence when asking for an EHC needs assessment.

So if school or the LA says:

“They do not meet threshold.”

Ask:

Are they receiving Element 3 / top-up / high-needs funding?
What provision is that funding for?
Who agreed it?
Where is it recorded?
Why is this not evidence that an EHCP may be needed?

Funding labels matter.

Because they can show that your child’s needs are already beyond what is ordinarily available.

Save this post if you are trying to understand SEND funding and EHCP evidence.

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

The art of complaining

A good complaint is not just “I’m unhappy”.

It is a clear paper trail.

When something has gone wrong, try to include:

1. What happened
Be clear about the decision, delay, failure or communication issue.

2. A timeline
Dates matter. List emails, meetings, phone calls and missed deadlines in order.

3. Evidence
Attach reports, screenshots, EHCP wording, letters, minutes or notes.

4. The impact
Explain how it affected your child, family, education, health or provision.

5. The remedy
Say what you want: a decision, apology, meeting, provision restored, missed support made up, or payment considered.

6. A deadline
Ask for a response by a clear and reasonable date.

Keep it focused.
Keep it factual.
Put it in writing.

A complaint is not about being difficult.

It is about making sure the issue is properly recorded and answered.

Save this if you are dealing with school, the LA, health or social care.

11/06/2026

Managing a SEND personal budget or EOTAS package can quickly become overwhelming.

Invoices in your emails.
Receipts in your camera roll.
Provider details in WhatsApp.
Spending tracked in a spreadsheet you keep meaning to update.

That is exactly why we built SENDbudget.co.uk.

SENDbudget helps parent-carers keep their SEND budget records in one place, so you can manage the package with more clarity and less chaos.

With SENDbudget, you can:

✅ Create and manage your child’s SEND/EOTAS package
✅ Track spending against your budget
✅ Add providers, sessions and costs
✅ Upload invoices, receipts and evidence
✅ Use a shared calendar to keep track of provision
✅ Import bank CSV files to help with reconciliation
✅ View spending charts so you can see what has been used and what is left
✅ Keep clearer records ready for reviews, monitoring or LA questions

This is not a generic budgeting app.

It is built for the reality of SEND personal budgets, direct payments and EOTAS packages — where parents are often left managing providers, payments, paperwork and evidence on top of everything else.

Less chaos. Clearer records. More control.

Start organising your SEND budget today:
sendbudget.co.uk

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Autism diagnosis: who, where, when and why

If you think your child may be autistic, the first step is usually to speak to your GP, school SENCO, or health visitor if your child is younger.

In many areas, children are referred to a local autism assessment team. Sometimes the referral route goes through school, community paediatrics, CAMHS, or a neurodevelopmental pathway. NHS guidance says a GP can advise on local assessment routes, and for children, school or a health visitor may need to make the referral.

Why seek a diagnosis?

A diagnosis can help explain your child’s needs, support school planning, guide reasonable adjustments, and strengthen evidence for SEN support or an EHCP.

What is Right to Choose?

In England, if your GP agrees an autism assessment is clinically appropriate, you may be able to choose an NHS-approved provider instead of only waiting for the local pathway. This is called Right to Choose.

What is CAMHS’ role?

CAMHS may be involved if there are mental health concerns such as anxiety, distress, self-harm, trauma or emotional dysregulation. But autism assessment pathways vary by area, and CAMHS is not always the diagnostic service.

Ask clearly:

Who can refer?
Which pathway applies locally?
How long is the wait?
Can we use Right to Choose?
What support can happen while we wait?

You do not need to wait for a diagnosis before asking school to support your child’s needs.

Save this if you are at the start of the autism assessment journey.