There are a number of Government schemes available to support parents/carers of children with SEND.

You can find further details of the support available on the help if you have a disabled child page on the GOV.UK website or
our help with childcare cost page.

Early Years Pupil Premium

Your child’s early years education provider could get additional Early Years Pupil Premium payments to help with your child’s education .

Read further information on how to get extra funding for your early years provider on the GOV.UK website.

SEN Inclusion Funding

When you child attends an early years setting the professionals working at the setting must ensure your child’s is able to engage and learn in an inclusive environment, where their needs are supported and have clear arrangements in place to support children with learning and developmental delay/SEND. You can find more details here (link to support for children in an early years setting page)

Early years settings in Waltham Forest may be eligible to receive SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF) if your child:

• has additional needs in the moderate to profound delay range with over thirteen months of learning and developmental delay and is entitled to a free early education place as an Under 2, 2 year old or 3 and 4 year old.

The funding is for:

• supporting your child’s identified needs in the early years setting they attend
• promoting early intervention
• improving outcomes for your child

The process for applying for funding is as follows: 

1. The SENCO at your child’s early years setting attends will meet with you to discuss applying for the SENIF.
2. They will complete an application form, which you will need to sign to state that you agree with the application for funding.
3. This application, along with your child’s SEND support plan and any other supporting evidence will be submitted to the SENIF Panel.
4. The Early Years, Childcare, and Business Development Service decide whether to allocate funding and the amount of funding given.
5. The amount of funding your child’s early years setting receives is based on your child’s learning and developmental delay in the three prime areas of the EYFS, which are communication and language, physical development and personal, social, and emotional development.
6. A SENIF decision form will be sent to the referrer. It is the responsibility of your child’s early years setting to follow any recommendations from the panel and to tell you about the agreed funding. 

Funding will be based on the area with the most learning and developmental delay and decided using your child’s 

• most recent assessments
• SEND support plan 

Contact your child’s early years setting to find out how the SENIF could be used to support your child. 

You can find further details about how your child’s early years setting can apply for SENIF funding from the hub.

Where, despite the setting applying for SENIF funding and having taken relevant and purposeful action as part of the universal, targeted and specialist elements of the Early Years Inclusion Pathway to identify, assess and meet the special educational needs of the child, the child has not made expected progress, the setting should consider requesting an Education, Health and Care needs assessment.

• If your child receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA), a nursery or childminder can claim Disability Access Funding (DAF) This funding supports settings in making reasonable adjustments to enable children with SEND to access their funded early education place additional funding to provide suitable support.  

Other non-Government Funding  

Grants and funding may be available from charities, trusts, foundations, and other organisations like The National Lottery.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it highlights some of the key charities working to support disabled children in the UK.

Whizz-Kidz

Provides wheelchairs and mobility equipment to children and young people with physical disabilities, enabling them to be more independent.  

Newlife

Offers grants for essential equipment like specialist beds, wheelchairs, and communication aids for disabled and terminally ill children.  

Caudwell Children

Focuses on transforming the lives of disabled and autistic children by providing support and opportunities.  

Mencap

Supports people with learning disabilities and their families, offering advice, information, and support services.  

The Children's Trust

A national charity working with children with acquired brain injury, multiple disabilities, and complex health needs.  

Children Today

Raises funds to provide specialized equipment for disabled children and young people.  

Lifeline 4 Kids

Provides grants for life-changing equipment for children and young people with special needs and disabilities.  

Kids Charity

Offers advice and resources to support children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs, as well as their families.  

The Disabled Children's Partnership

A coalition of organizations campaigning for improved health and social care for disabled children and their families.  

Sandcastle Trust

Provides grants to families affected by rare genetic conditions for short breaks and other support.  

Starlight Foundation

Brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting wishes and providing hospital entertainment.  

Action for Kids

Aims to enable disabled children and young people to lead full and independent lives.  

Dreams Come True

Enriches the lives of children with disabilities, serious illnesses, or life-limiting conditions by granting their wishes.  

Family Fund

grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income 

WellChild

A list of national organisations who provide grants for specialist equipment, therapies, and respite.