Types of support that can be given after an assessment

After your child or young person has been assessed for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan and the panel has made a decision, they will be allocated the appropriate services and support to meet those needs. 

Examples of support

Support is given on a case-by-case basis, but here a few examples of the types of support your child or young person may receive.

Direct payments

Personal budgets in the form of direct payments provide parents with the opportunity to arrange care and services for their child instead of receiving a direct service from the local authority.  Following an assessment, direct payments can be used in a variety of ways to promote flexibility and choice for families.

This may include:

  • short breaks
  • personal assistance to enable your child to attend an activity, club or sporting activity
  • personal care
  • specialist equipment  

Once an assessment has been completed and the number of hours of support allocated, an amount is agreed to fund this support. Parents can use direct payments to employ their own personal assistant or directly purchase support.

Read more on Croydon's Local Offer website about direct payments and how to contact SEND.

You can also download or view Croydon's direct payment guide, 2019 (PDF 5.2MB)

Extra support at school

Your child could receive extra group session support and a more tailored education to suit their ability to learn.

Short breaks and home-based care

Short breaks provide a child or young person with a disability and their parents/carers a break from their usual routine and offer new opportunities.

Home-based care is where a child or young person visits the carer's home for a few hours per week or overnight stays.

Read more on the criteria of short breaks and respite care on Croydon's Local Offer website.

Equipment and adaptations

Equipment and adaptations may help the child or young person to live as independently as possible in the home.

Read more about equipment and adaptations on Croydon's Local Offer website.

Occupational therapy service

The children's occupational therapy team is an integrated service with health colleagues, that aims to help children achieve or maintain their maximum level of independence and to develop practical life skills so that they can participate to their full potential in the home and classroom environment.

Find out if you are eligible and how referrals or a self-referrals can be made on Croydon's Local Offer website.

Youth clubs and activities

A range of leisure services and activities are available in Croydon – from Saturday schemes, youth clubs, sports activities and summer and half term schemes during school holidays.

You can find details of organisations in the Local Offer directory,  or within the leisure, activities and sports section of the website