Outside support for children with special needs?

[MrsVictorUbogu]

I don't want to 'out' myself, so forgive me if I don't give away too many details....

My three children all have a physical disorder, youngest also has a couple of other problems. None of them are statemented as I thought there would be little point with them being home-educated.

An acquaintance, who is the Head of Department in a local private school, has insisted to me that my children should be receiving some support/help from the LEA..... I don't think this is correct, and thought maybe this person was getting confused with children who have been at school and then become too ill to attend.

Does any one know if there is any such help? And, if so, is there some kind of criteria for those applying?
TIA

Hi Mrs V U
I have a homeschooling friend who gets help for her daughter with aspergers. This takes the form of swimming lessons, help rinding a bike etc. She also gets extra benefits which she spends on maths tutoring as she doesn't feel confident in this area. I don't think she had to register her daughter but she has really appreciated the extra help.

There is Disability Living Allowance (not administered by the local Council of course.) Not clear what is meant by a physical disorder for which help might be provided via Children's Services (newish phrase for LEA) as opposed to the Primary Care Trust. Help through Children's Services would probably join up with "education" though not necessarily. Help through the PCT/GP might not (eg speech therapy)

This is the current position in England with regard to LA support for children with special needs.
edyourself.org/articles/APguidance2011-12.php
edyourself.org/articles/AltprovFAQ.php

Extract from the Government's FAQ published last Thursday (applies to ENGLAND)

12. The Department has said that the LA can claim back money spent on SEN support. Does the Department take a view on what is meant by SEN support or may this be agreed on a case-by-case basis between the LA and the family?
    It can be agreed on a case-by-case basis. The total support needs to be substantial to justify an entry on the AP census.

13. Are there any types of SEN support equipment or services for which the LA would not be allowed to claim?
    No.

14. Where the LA is paying for SEN support, is it necessary for the home educated child to have a statement of SEN or to have been formerly on School Action Plus before the LA can claim funding?
    No.

15. Is there any obligation for the LA to fund SEN support where the child has a statement of SEN?
    The LA needs to ensure that the provisions in the statement are delivered, which might entail a need for funding.

16. Is there any obligation for the LA to fund SEN support where the child was previously on School Action Plus?
    There would not be an obligation. An LA would be able to fund support under these arrangements where it wished to do so.

17. Can part of the AP funding be used for an assessment of a learner's additional support needs, such as paying for educational psychology services?
    No. Education psychology services are part of the Non-Schools Budget (paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the School Finance (England) Regulations, and therefore cannot be financed from DSG. Support from this budget should be available to all learners who need it irrespective of whether they are educated at school or not.