Our editorial code: "Rights First, Commerce Second."
Every piece of content on SENDPath is written to inform and empower families — not to generate revenue. If a listing or guide ever conflicts with that principle, the content wins.
Who we are
SENDPath was built by a Kent parent who spent years navigating the SEND system — fighting for EHCPs, finding the right schools, working out benefit entitlements, and discovering (often too late) the services and rights that could have helped from the beginning.
I'm a GP by profession, but like many SEND parents, I became an expert in a system that should be easier to navigate. This site is the resource we wished existed. Plain language. Parent-to-parent tone. No clinical jargon. No corporate wrapper.
Our guarantee: Every listing on this site is verified. Every guide is researched. Every piece of advice comes from real experience or trusted sources. If I don't know something, I'll say so.
We are not a healthcare provider, a law firm, or a benefits adviser. We are parents who've been through it, and we want to make it easier for the families who come after us.
What we do
- Directory of verified services — SEND schools, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, ABA providers, respite care, EHCP solicitors, parent groups, and sensory equipment suppliers across Kent.
- Rights guides — plain-English summaries of your legal entitlements: EHCPs, school transport, Personal Independence Payments, DLA, SEND tribunals, and more.
- Cost-saving tips — grants, tax credits, Disabled Facilities Grants, Blue Badge, Motability, and other schemes many SEND families don't know they can access.
- Community-first content — we don't write for algorithms. We write for parents sitting up at 11pm trying to work out what their child is entitled to.
Your rights as a SEND family
The SEND Code of Practice (2015) gives families significant legal rights — many of which local authorities are slow to proactively explain. Here are the key ones:
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
If your child has complex needs that cannot be met within mainstream school resources, you can request an EHCP assessment from Kent County Council. The LA must respond within 6 weeks and, if agreed, complete the assessment within 20 weeks. You have a right to appeal any decision to the SEND Tribunal.
Key resource: IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) provides free legal advice on EHCPs.
School transport
Kent County Council has a duty to provide free school transport for eligible SEND children. Eligibility depends on age, distance, and the nature of the child's needs. Decisions can be challenged.
Short breaks / respite care
Under Section 25 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008, local authorities must publish a Short Breaks Statement and provide services. Many families don't know they can request this formally.
This is general information only — not legal advice. SEND law is complex and individual circumstances vary. For specific legal advice, contact
IPSEA,
SOS!SEN, or a specialist SEND solicitor.
DLA and financial support
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for disabled children under 16. It has two components — care and mobility — and is not means-tested. Many eligible families never claim it.
Who can claim DLA?
- Children under 16 who need significantly more care, supervision, or help with mobility than a non-disabled child of the same age.
- Applies to autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and many other conditions.
- The condition does not need to be formally diagnosed — it must be assessed on care needs.
What else could you be entitled to?
- Carer's Allowance — if you spend 35+ hours/week caring for a disabled child.
- Child Tax Credit / Universal Credit disability additions — premium payments for disabled children.
- Blue Badge — for children with significant mobility needs (automatic eligibility with higher rate DLA mobility).
- Disabled Facilities Grant — up to £30,000 for adaptations to your home.
- Motability — lease a car using the mobility component of DLA.
This is general information only — not financial or benefits advice. Benefit rules change frequently. For personalised help, contact
Citizens Advice,
Turn2us, or a local benefits adviser.
Our editorial principles
- Rights First, Commerce Second — content serves families, not advertisers.
- No medical advice — we describe services, not treatments.
- No legal advice — we summarise rights, not provide legal opinions.
- No financial advice — we signpost benefits, not advise on personal finances.
- Listings are not endorsements — inclusion in our directory does not mean we recommend a provider.
- Parent tone — we write for tired, stressed parents at 11pm, not for policy professionals.
Contact us
Want to suggest a listing, report an error, or get in touch? Contact us here or email hello@sendpath.uk.