SEND and You - SAY

12/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets

What does EOTAS mean?

Education other than at school (EOTAS) means the education or special educational provision of children or young people with an EHCP outside of a formal educational setting. It can be considered where the Local Authority is satisfied that it would be inappropriate for provision to be made in a school or post 16 institution.

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/

11/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets

Personal Budgets and the Local Offer

Local authorities must provide information on Personal Budgets as part of the Local Offer. This should include a policy on Personal Budgets that sets out a description of the services across education, health and social care that currently lend themselves to the use of Personal Budgets, how that funding will be made available, and clear and simple statements of eligibility criteria and the decision-making processes. (SEND Code of Practice para 9.96).

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/

10/06/2026

8th- 12th June 2026 is Carers Week! A carer is someone who provides unpaid help and support to another person who could not manage without their help. A carer may be a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour. Many of our followers may be carers without even realising it.

Take a look at Carers Support Bristol and South Gloucestershire's post below if you would like to be involved in the good work they are doing 👇

Carers Week has started with new research looking at what makes a community truly supportive for carers.
It highlights something many carers already know — that feeling understood and valued in everyday life can make a real difference.
The research found that:

*almost half of carers don’t feel their role is understood
* for some, that lack of support affects their health

We’ve shared more about the report — and how local events like Caring Matters and our recent nature walk session help create spaces where carers feel recognised and supported.

👉 https://www.carersbsg.org.uk/news/latest-news/post/138-new-research-highlights-the-need-for-more-carer-friendly-communities

10/06/2026

📣 North Somerset Parents & Carers – SEN Plan Support Sessions Available!
Does your child receive SEN support at school?

Do they have a SEN Support Plan, Individual Education Plan (IEP), Pupil Passport, or similar paperwork?

💬 These sessions are a great opportunity to:
• Talk through your child’s SEN support plan
• Check that everything is clear and easy to understand
• Make sure it follows the Graduated Approach

⚠️ Please note: These sessions are for SEN support plans only – we’re unable to review EHCPs.

🗓️Tuesday 16th June 2026
📍 Location: The Firs Resource Centre, Weston-Super-Mare, BS23 3NX

All appointments must be booked in advance via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-somerset-checking-your-sen-plan-appointments-16th-june-2026-tickets-1988070687945?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets


How is a personal budget set out in an EHC plan?

An EHC plan can contain provision from education, health or social care agencies. A personal budget should be described in Section J of an EHC plan. It links to provision agreed in Section F (education), Section G (health) or Section H (social care), or any combination of these.
Section J, must set out:
• The details of how the Personal Budget will support meeting the outcomes in the EHCP, (set out in Section E);
• The provision (education, health and/or social care) it will be used for, including any flexibility, and;
• Arrangements for any Direct Payments.

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/

09/06/2026

We are offering free face-to-face appointments for parents and carers living in North Somerset who have children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).⁠
⁠
🗓 Date: Tuesday 16th June 2026
📍 Location: The Firs Resource Centre, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 3NX⁠
⁠
These confidential, one-to-one sessions provide an opportunity to speak with a trained North Somerset SENDIAS practitioner. We can offer guidance on processes, support with completing forms and paperwork, and help you understand the next steps regarding your child’s needs.⁠
⁠
Appointments must be booked in advance on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/north-somerset-in-person-appointments-for-send-advice-16th-june-2026-tickets-1986983301543?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets

How can I receive and manage a personal budget?

There are four ways in which a personal budget can be provided:

1. Direct payments – individuals receive the cash to contract, purchase and manage services themselves

2. An arrangement – whereby the Local Authority, school or college holds the funds and commissions the support specified in the plan (these are sometimes called notional budgets)

3. Third party arrangements – where funds (direct payments) are paid to and managed by an individual or organization on behalf of the child’s parent or the young person.

4. A combination of the above

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/

08/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets

What can’t a personal budget be spent on?

A personal budget does not cover:
• Payment/funding for a place at a school or college
• Payment/funding for the extra help the school, college or local authority is expected to provide for all children with special educational needs as part of the local offer/ordinary available provision.
• Payment for any provision that is not specified in the EHCP (sections F, G and H)

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/

05/06/2026

Topic of the month- EOTAS and Personal Budgets

What can a personal budget be spent on?

An EHCP personal budget may be used to pay for provision identified in Section F, G or H of the EHCP. It can be spent on support and services which meet the outcomes in Section E of the EHCP. This includes the funds needed to buy more specialist or individual support than the school or college is expected to provide from within its general resources.

Find out more: https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/eotas-and-personal-budgets/