If your child constantly calls out, “Mum… bring me food,”
or “Can you get the remote?”
or “I’m hungry!” from another room — even though they’re perfectly capable of doing it themselves…

You are not alone, and it is not bad parenting.

This behaviour is extremely common in children and teens with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — and it has nothing to do with laziness, entitlement, or “being spoiled.”

It is a nervous system response, and understanding it can completely change how you see your child and how you support them.

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Why PDA Children Make These Demands

PDA is a profile of autism defined by an intense need for autonomy and a nervous system that becomes easily overwhelmed by everyday demands.

To a PDA child, even tiny tasks — like picking up the remote — can trigger the brain’s threat response.

Not because they are incapable.
Not because they don’t want to help.
But because their threshold for nervous system activation is extremely low.

✔️ When the nervous system activates, PDA children move into:

• Fight (explosive, shouting, refusal)
• Flight (avoidance, shutdown, hiding)
• Freeze (immobilised, unable to act)

Asking them to “just grab the remote” can genuinely feel overwhelming to their system.

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Why Being at Home Triggers These Behaviours More

Home is where PDA children feel:

• safer
• more connected
• more unmasked
• more in control

At school or with grandparents, they may suppress the nervous system response to survive the day — which means they appear compliant or easy-going.

At home, the masking drops.
The nervous system takes over.
And all the pent-up stress shows up as demands, distress, or explosions.

This is not manipulation.
This is safety releasing tension.

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So… Is It PDA or Just Laziness?

Here’s the difference:

Laziness / entitlement

• Child can do the task
• Child won’t do the task
• No meltdown occurs when encouraged
• No distress, panic, or shutdown
• Behaviours are consistent in all environments

PDA nervous system response

• Child becomes distressed or overwhelmed
• Task triggers fear, panic or shutdown
• Fight/flight/freeze behaviours appear
• Child may appear “frozen,” avoidant or explosive
• Behaviours happen only where they feel safest (home)

If your child melts down or becomes overwhelmed by small tasks, it’s not laziness — it’s dysregulation.

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Why Accommodations Like “Bringing Them Food” Actually Help

Parents often feel guilty thinking they’re “giving in.”

In reality, these accommodations:

• reduce nervous system overload
• help the child stay regulated
• prevent escalation into meltdowns
• build trust and connection
• allow the child to feel safe

Lowering demands isn’t spoiling a PDA child.
It is supporting an overwhelmed nervous system.

Over time, once safety increases, capacity increases too.

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What You Can Do to Help

1. Reduce direct demands

Instead of:
“Go get the remote.”

Try:
“Would you like to grab it now or in a minute?”
or
“When you feel ready, the remote’s next to you.”

2. Use indirect prompts

PDA children cope better when they feel a sense of choice.

3. Focus on co-regulation

Before expecting action, help their body calm:

• deep breaths together
• warmth
• sitting close
• quiet time
• sensory comfort

4. Build independence slowly

Choose one small task at a time.
Introduce it gently.
Celebrate effort, not completion.

5. Assume the behaviour is communication

Your child isn’t asking you to bring snacks because they see you as a servant.
They’re asking because they are overwhelmed, dysregulated, and using you as a safe base.

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One of the most common messages parents send us is this:

“School says my child is fine. But the moment they walk through the door, they explode. Meltdowns, screaming, aggression, shutdowns… why is it only happening at home?”

If this sounds like your family, you are not imagining it, and you are not doing anything wrong. This pattern is incredibly common in autistic children with a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile, especially those who mask heavily during the school day.

Let’s break down what’s really happening — and why home becomes the place where everything spills out.

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Masking: The Hidden Effort No One Sees

At school, many PDA children appear:

• polite
• compliant
• quiet
• well-behaved
• “fine”

But this presentation is often a survival strategy, not a reflection of how calm they truly feel.

Masking means:

• copying neurotypical behaviour
• suppressing natural responses
• hiding distress
• forcing themselves to “fit in”
• pushing down sensory, emotional and anxiety-driven reactions

On the outside they look calm.
Inside, their nervous system is on hyper-alert.

This takes an enormous toll.

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The Key Factor: Perceived Threat and Autonomy Loss

Children with PDA experience demands — even everyday ones — as threats to their autonomy and safety.

At school, this threat response cannot be expressed freely. So instead of the typical PDA fight/flight behaviour, the brain switches to freeze/fawn mode:

• people pleasing
• over-complying
• staying quiet
• internalising distress

It LOOKS like they’re coping.
But they’re holding everything in.

All day.

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Why Home Gets the Explosion

Home is the only place where they feel:

• safe
• accepted
• unconditionally loved
• free from judgement
• free from consequences for dropping the mask

So the moment they walk into that safe environment, the nervous system releases everything it has been suppressing.

This release can look like:

• screaming or shouting
• physical outbursts
• aggression
• refusing any request
• crying or sobbing
• shutdown or withdrawal
• lashing out at the nearest safe person — usually the parent

This is not manipulation.
This is not attention-seeking.
This is decompression from a day spent holding in fear, stress and overwhelm.

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You Are the Safe Person — Not the Problem

Many parents blame themselves:
“Why does my child only behave like this with me? What am I doing wrong?”

But the reality is:

Children fall apart where they feel safest.

You are not the problem.
You are the anchor that allows them to stop holding everything in.

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Signs Your Child May Be Masking at School And Releasing at Home

Here are common indicators of a PDA-style masking pattern:

1. Extreme after-school meltdowns or shutdowns

Especially if school reports that behaviour was “perfect.”

2. Refusal to get up, get dressed or leave the house in the morning

The nervous system is warning: “I can’t do another day of masking.”

3. Controlled behaviour at school but big emotions at home

A classic mask-and-release cycle.

4. Intense need for control at home

Because autonomy has been stripped away all day.

5. High anxiety around small changes or demands

These children live in a near-constant state of threat detection.

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What You Can Do To Support a Child With This Pattern

1. Reduce demands at home — not because they’re spoiled, but because their threshold is low

Lowering demands is an accommodation, not “giving in.”

2. Provide decompression time after school

No talking, no questioning, no homework.
Just calm, predictable space.

3. Use collaborative, choice-based approaches

PDA children respond far better to equality, humour, and shared control.

4. Communicate the school/home split to educators

This behaviour pattern is a red flag that the school environment is too demanding.

5. Consider whether a different setting or an EHCP is needed

Masking followed by explosive release often indicates unmet needs.

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Final Thought: It’s Not “Fine at School, Bad at Home” — It’s Survival vs Safety

School behaviour is not the truth.
Home behaviour is not the “problem.”

Home is simply where the mask comes off.

If your child explodes after school, it means you are their safest person — the only place they can show how hard they’ve been fighting all day.

You’re not causing the behaviour.
You’re finally seeing the truth of what they’ve been carrying.

Every winter brings viral rumours — and not just the medical kind. This year’s big headline is the claim that a dangerous “superflu outbreak” is shutting down schools across the UK. Videos and screenshots are spreading fast, often stripped of context, fuelling anxiety at a time when families are already under strain.

So what’s real, what’s exaggerated, and what do disabled people and SEND families actually need to know?

Let’s break it down clearly.

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Is There Really a ‘Superflu Outbreak’?

Yes and no.

There is a particularly strong flu wave this winter, driven mainly by Influenza A. Hospital admissions for flu have risen more sharply than in recent years. Several NHS trusts have declared critical incidents, which means they are under extreme pressure and need to reorganise services to cope.

But the term “superflu” is a media label, not a medical diagnosis. Public health authorities have not declared a new virus, a new pandemic, or a national emergency. What we’re experiencing is a severe flu season — not an unknown threat.

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Are Schools Closing Across the Country?

The viral rumours suggest widespread school shutdowns, but that isn’t what’s happening.

A small number of schools have temporarily closed or reduced attendance due to exceptionally high staff sickness or student absences. These are local decisions, made on a case-by-case basis.

There is no national instruction to close schools, and the majority remain open as usual.

Online clips often show dramatic headlines without dates, context or location, leading people to believe something much larger is happening than reality.

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Why Do These Rumours Spread So Easily?

Because they hit three pressure points:

1. Post-COVID anxiety
   People are hyper-aware of any talk of outbreaks, closures, or NHS pressure.
2. Lack of context
   A screenshot of “critical incident declared” looks like a crisis, but these declarations are not unusual during tough winter periods.
3. Social media incentives
   Viral content rewards fear, urgency, and drama — not calm explanation.

That’s why the Rumours series exists: to strip away the panic and focus on verified information.

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What Disabled People and SEND Families Need to Know

Winter flu surges are especially worrying for households with medically vulnerable children or those who struggle with sudden changes in routine. Here’s what matters most:

1. Schools must still support your child during closures

If a school partially closes or moves classes online, they must continue providing work, communication, and reasonable adjustments.
SEND pupils should not be left without education.

2. Sudden routine changes can cause distress

Children with autism, PDA profiles or anxiety can struggle when school plans change abruptly.
Parents can request:

• advanced notice wherever possible
• a clear transition plan
• predictable communication
• alternatives if the child cannot cope

3. Medically vulnerable children may need extra precautions

This includes staying up to date with flu vaccinations, monitoring symptoms, and limiting exposure when unwell.
This is standard winter health guidance, not specific to any new virus.

4. Local authorities must consider transportation and absence

If your child cannot safely attend school due to a health concern backed by medical advice, the school and local authority must treat this as a legitimate absence and work with you, not penalise you.

5. Always check reliable sources

The NHS, UKHSA, and your local authority are the places to look for accurate updates.
Viral videos rarely tell the full story.

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So What’s the Bottom Line?

A severe flu season is putting real pressure on hospitals.
A few schools have temporarily closed.
But claims of a new “superflu” shutting down the UK are exaggerated.

Families deserve calm, clear information — not panic and speculation.
And disabled people and SEND households deserve guidance tailored to their needs, not fear-driven headlines.

This winter is challenging, but it is manageable with accurate information and practical support.

You might have seen videos saying:
“From January 2026 you can’t live with your partner if you both claim UC separately — you’ll lose your benefits and get fined.”

Here’s the truth:

1️⃣ This isn’t a new law — it’s already the rule.

Universal Credit has always required couples who live together to claim as a joint household.

If you live together as a couple but claim separately, DWP can already:

• stop your benefits
• reclaim overpayments
• issue penalties if they believe it was intentional

That’s not new, and it’s not starting in 2026.

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2️⃣ So what is changing?

The government is increasing data-matching and fraud investigation systems from 2025/2026.

Meaning:

• more automated checks
• more tracing between addresses
• more joint-name flags
• more “living together” investigations

So the technology is getting stricter — but the rules themselves haven’t changed.

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3️⃣ Couples who live together must claim UC together — always have.

The only exception is if you:

• do NOT live together,
• are NOT financially linked,
• or you are separated / estranged.

If you genuinely live separately, UC can be claimed separately.

But if you live in the same house as a couple, UC treats you as a joint household.

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4️⃣ What about people who live together for practical or SEND reasons?

Some people share a home due to:

• caring responsibilities
• disabilities
• children with SEND
• safety or financial necessity

This does not automatically make you a “couple” — UC looks at:

• commitment
• finances
• shared responsibility
• relationship status

You can live in the same property and NOT be classed as a couple in certain circumstances — but you must be able to evidence it.

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5️⃣ Nobody is suddenly losing benefits on 1 January 2026.

That’s fear-mongering.

But—

If someone is claiming separately while clearly living as a couple, the new systems will make it easier for DWP to detect it.

If the claims are legitimate, you have nothing to worry about.

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6️⃣ If you genuinely live together as a couple — you should already be on a joint UC claim.

That’s not new, and it’s not changing in 2026.

Across the UK, thousands of families are facing the same impossible situation:
A child who cannot attend school due to anxiety, overwhelm, SEND needs, burnout, physical health, or severe emotional distress… and a school or Local Authority providing little to no support.

Many parents blame themselves.
Many feel powerless.
And most don’t realise this one crucial fact:

If your child is not attending school — and you have not chosen elective home education — your child has barriers to attendance. And the Local Authority has a legal duty to provide alternative education under Section 19 of the Education Act.

This is not optional.
It is not discretionary.
It is not “when the school has time.”

It is a legal requirement.

This blog will explain exactly what Section 19 means, what support your child is entitled to, and what to do if you aren’t receiving it.

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What Section 19 Actually Says

Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 states that Local Authorities must provide:

“Suitable education for children who, by reason of illness, exclusion or otherwise, may not receive it.”

“Otherwise” includes:

• anxiety
• emotional distress
• autism or PDA-related shutdown
• sensory overwhelm
• EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance)
• mental health difficulties
• physical health issues
• school trauma
• unmet SEND needs

If a child cannot attend school — even part-time — the LA must ensure education that reflects what the child is able to manage.

This could be online learning, home tuition, a reduced timetable, or specialist provision.

Parents are rarely told this.

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You Do NOT Have to Prove Anything Beyond This: Your Child Cannot Attend

Parents are often pressured to provide:

• diagnoses
• CAMHS involvement
• medical letters
• proof of trauma

But Section 19 does not require any of these.

The only requirement is that the child “may not receive suitable education” without LA intervention.

If school attendance is breaking your child, this applies.

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What Counts as “Alternative Provision”?

Local Authorities can offer a range of support, including:

✔️ Online learning

Suitable when anxiety, overwhelm or sensory difficulties make attendance impossible.

✔️ Home tuition

A teacher visiting the home for 1:1 or small group sessions.

✔️ Hybrid timetables

Mix of school, home and online — tailored to what the child can cope with.

✔️ Therapeutic or specialist provision

When mainstream cannot meet need.

✔️ Temporary placements

To stabilise attendance before long-term decisions.

✔️ Short-term medical provision

For children too unwell to attend school.

The key word is “suitable” — not “full-time” or “back in school immediately.”

Education must match the child’s current capacity, not the school’s convenience.

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If Your Child Isn’t Getting Support — Here’s What to Do

1. Request Alternative Provision in Writing

Email the Local Authority and say:

“My child is unable to attend school due to SEND/mental health barriers.
Please confirm what alternative provision you will arrange under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996.”

Putting this in writing forces the LA to acknowledge their duty.

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2. Apply for an EHCP Assessment

Parents often believe they need:

• the school’s permission
• a diagnosis
• evidence from CAMHS

You need none of these.

If your child cannot access education without significant adjustments, that is clear evidence that an EHCP assessment is required.

Request it yourself in writing:

“I am formally requesting an EHC needs assessment under Section 36(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014.”

Once this is submitted, the legal timeline begins.

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3. Challenge Incorrect Statements from Schools

Schools often say things like:

• “We can’t help unless they attend.”
• “We can’t authorise anxiety.”
• “They must come into school before we can support them.”
• “We can’t offer online learning.”

None of these statements are supported by law.

A child’s needs do not disappear simply because they’re too overwhelmed to enter the building.

Schools must make adjustments based on need, not attendance.

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4. Document Everything

Keep a record of:

• emails
• phone calls
• meetings
• refusals
• behaviours
• medical notes
• school responses

A clear paper trail protects you and makes escalation easier if needed.

When you ask for decisions to be put in writing, incorrect or unlawful statements often disappear.

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Remember: You Are Not Failing

Children don’t avoid school because of poor parenting.
They avoid school because the environment has become unsafe, overwhelming, or unsuitable for their needs.

Your child is not “refusing.”
They are communicating.

You are not “allowing it.”
You are protecting your child.

And you are absolutely entitled to the support the law provides — even if no one has ever told you about it.

If you need a template Section 19 request, an EHCP application letter, or a step-by-step guide, just ask and I’ll create it for you.

You are not alone, and help does exist — even when the system tries to hide it.

For years, parents and carers — especially those raising children with SEND — have told us the same thing:

“I know help exists, but I don’t know what I’m entitled to, where to start, or who to ask.”

The UK benefits system is complicated, overwhelming, and full of hidden rules, exceptions and discounts that most families never hear about.
People spend hours searching online, waiting on hold, or being passed from one department to another, just to get basic answers.

That’s why we created Benefits Ellie — your new AI assistant designed to make navigating the system simple, clear and stress-free.

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What Is Benefits Ellie?

Benefits Ellie is an AI tool built for real people, real families, and real-life challenges.
She explains your rights, outlines what support may be available, and helps you understand complicated processes in plain English — no jargon, no confusion, no overwhelm.

Whether you’re dealing with:

• PIP
• DLA
• Carer’s Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Housing support
• Council Tax reductions
• Social tariffs
• Water bill assistance
• Grants and cost-of-living help

— Ellie guides you through what you may be able to claim and what steps to take next.

This tool isn’t just for SEND families (though they benefit massively).
It’s for anyone trying to understand the UK’s support system without having to fight every step of the way.

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Why We Created Benefits Ellie

Because too many families are slipping through the cracks.

People are missing out on:

• disability discounts
• reduced bills
• free travel passes
• companion tickets
• warm home support
• water bill caps
• local grants
• childcare help
• social tariffs

— simply because no one tells them these things exist.

Parents of disabled children, carers, low-income households and people with long-term health conditions often pay more for daily life, while receiving less information about what help is available.

Ellie exists to fix that.

She puts the information in your hands, instantly.

No waiting.
No searching forums.
No guessing what wording to use.
No being dismissed or told “you’re not eligible” when you actually are.

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What Benefits Ellie Can Help You Do

✓ Understand which benefits you may qualify for

Ellie explains criteria clearly and breaks down complicated rules.

✓ Discover hidden discounts and reductions

Including broadband social tariffs, council tax reductions, cinema schemes, water bill support, disability travel cards and more.

✓ Learn about cost-of-living help specific to disability and SEND

Including grants, one-off payments, and support many families never hear about.

✓ Get step-by-step help wording what to say

Whether it’s a phone call to your council or a message to your water company.

✓ Feel more confident navigating a system that often feels impossible

Because understanding your rights is empowering.

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Who Benefits Ellie Is For

Benefits Ellie is designed for:

• parents of children with SEND
• carers
• disabled adults
• people on low income
• anyone trying to understand the benefits system without stress
• families wanting to reduce bills and access the support they’re entitled to

If the system has ever made you feel lost, overwhelmed or dismissed, Ellie is here to support you — 24/7.

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Try Benefits Ellie Now

You can be one of the first to try it here:

👉 Benefits Ellie

There’s no sign-up, no pressure — just clear guidance when you need it.

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Final Thought

The benefits system shouldn’t require a law degree, hours of research, or endless phone calls to access support that families legally deserve.

Benefits Ellie won’t solve the system, but she will make it easier to navigate.
She gives parents the confidence, clarity and information they’ve been missing for years.

And most importantly:
She helps families get the support they are entitled to — not the support they’re told to settle for.

If you’d like a blog post on “Hidden discounts for PIP/DLA you can claim today” or a downloadable checklist families can use, just let me know.

Not all disabilities are visible — and for millions of people, the most challenging conditions are the ones you can’t see at all.
That’s where the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower comes in.

You’ve probably seen it before: a green lanyard decorated with bright yellow sunflowers.
Simple, discreet, and increasingly recognised across the world, this lanyard quietly communicates something incredibly important:

“I have a non-visible disability. I may need extra time, patience, or assistance.”

For families navigating autism, ADHD, PDA, sensory challenges, chronic illness, mobility issues, anxiety disorders, epilepsy, heart conditions — and many other conditions — the sunflower can turn stressful situations into manageable ones.

Here’s everything you need to know.

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What Is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower?

The Sunflower is a global symbol used to indicate that a person has a disability that isn’t immediately obvious.
This might include:

• Autism
• ADHD
• PDA
• Anxiety disorders
• Dyslexia
• Epilepsy
• Sensory processing difficulties
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Hearing or vision impairment
• Chronic pain
• Heart conditions
• Learning disabilities
• And many other medical or neurological conditions

The lanyard does not identify what the disability is.
It simply signals that the wearer may benefit from:

• extra time
• clear communication
• patience
• reduced sensory pressure
• supported access
• or assistance through crowded or stressful environments

It is not a “fast-pass”.
It is not a diagnosis badge.
It is a communication tool — and an incredibly effective one.

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Where Is the Sunflower Recognised?

The lanyard is now recognised in:

• UK airports and many international airports
• Train stations & bus networks
• Shops and supermarkets
• Cinemas and entertainment venues
• Theme parks and attractions
• Sports stadiums
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Many workplaces and public buildings

Businesses take part voluntarily, and staff are trained to recognise the symbol and respond appropriately.

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Why the Sunflower Is So Helpful

For many people with hidden disabilities, the hardest part of daily life isn’t the condition — it’s the constant pressure to explain themselves.

The Sunflower removes that burden.

It means:

• You don’t have to justify why you need more time
• You don’t have to explain your disability at a checkout
• Your child won’t be judged in queues or crowds
• You can access help quietly and respectfully
• Staff understand that your needs may not be obvious

It protects dignity.
It reduces misunderstandings.
It prevents meltdowns, panic attacks, and confrontations in stressful places like airports.

For SEND families especially, it can transform a difficult day into a manageable one.

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5 Things You Might Not Know You Can Use the Sunflower For

Most people assume the Sunflower is “just for airports”, but it goes far beyond that.
Here are five lesser-known uses that can make a huge difference.

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1️⃣ Supported Access at Airports

Airports can be overwhelming for anyone — but especially for those with sensory or emotional needs.

With the Sunflower, many airports offer:

• expedited or supported security screening
• early boarding
• access to quieter waiting areas
• extra communication support
• additional time when needed

It doesn’t guarantee priority boarding, but it often leads to much smoother travel.

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2️⃣ Help on Trains and Buses

Public transport staff across the UK recognise the Sunflower.
This can include:

• reserved seating
• help boarding
• staff checking in discreetly
• clearer instructions
• extra time to move or respond

This can be life-changing for people with anxiety, mobility issues, autism or sensory overload.

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3️⃣ Adjustments in Shops and Supermarkets

Some retailers offer:

• opening a quieter checkout
• turning down loud music
• reducing fast beeping at tills
• allowing more space or time

Staff are trained not to rush or pressure sunflower wearers.

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4️⃣ Theme Parks, Attractions & Stadiums

Though not a guaranteed “fast track”, many venues provide:

• accessible queuing options
• sensory rooms
• quiet routes
• early entry
• support during crowds

This helps families enjoy events without fear of overwhelm or meltdown.

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5️⃣ Extra Processing Time and Clearer Communication

This is the most powerful benefit — and the one families report as the biggest relief.

The Sunflower signals:

• “Please don’t rush me.”
• “Please let me process what you’re saying.”
• “I may need instructions repeated slowly.”

This avoids judgment, misunderstandings, and conflict.

For children who mask, shut down, or struggle with demands, this extra time is essential.

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Where to Get a Sunflower Lanyard

Official lanyards can be purchased here:

👉 https://hdsunflower.com/uk/

Some supermarkets (like Tesco and Sainsbury’s) also hand them out free at customer service desks.

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Final Thoughts

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is more than a lanyard — it’s a respectful communication tool that gives people the confidence to move through the world without constant explanation.

It says:
“Please be patient with me.”
“Please don’t assume I’m fine just because I look fine.”
“I may need support that isn’t visible.”

And for families of children with hidden disabilities — autism, ADHD, PDA, anxiety, chronic illness — the sunflower can make every trip, every appointment, and every journey safer and calmer.

If you receive PIP, DLA, or you’re on a low income, there are multiple discounts and schemes available right now that can reduce your monthly bills significantly.

The problem?
Most families don’t know these schemes exist — and companies don’t advertise them.

Below is a breakdown of six money-saving steps you can take today, along with official links where available.

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1️⃣ Switch to a Social Tariff for Broadband (From £10 per month)

Almost every major broadband provider in the UK offers a social tariff for people on PIP, DLA, Universal Credit, ESA or low income.

These packages offer the same internet speeds for a fraction of the cost — sometimes as low as £10–£20 per month.

Check if your provider offers a social tariff:

📌 Ofcom official list:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffs

Speak directly to your provider and say:

“I’m receiving PIP/DLA and would like to be moved to your social tariff.”

You can do this today.

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2️⃣ Council Tax Reductions for Disabled or Low-Income Households

The rules vary between councils, but most offer reductions for:

• Disability (PIP/DLA)
• Low income
• Mental impairment (linked to SEN)
• Severe disability premium
• Single occupancy
• Carers

These reductions can save you hundreds of pounds per year.

Check your council here:

https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Call or email your council and ask:

“What council tax reductions am I eligible for as someone on PIP/DLA and low income?”

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3️⃣ Cinema Discounts + Free Carer Ticket (CEA Card)

Most UK cinemas accept the CEA Card, which allows:

• You pay for your ticket
• Your companion / carer goes FREE

This is valid in most major cinema chains including Cineworld, Odeon, Vue, Empire, and Showcase.

Great for Christmas, weekends, and giving SEND families safe support in public spaces.

Apply here (£7.50 for a 1-year card):

https://www.ceacard.co.uk

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4️⃣ Concerts & Events: Free Companion Tickets (Ticketmaster Access Card)

People on PIP or DLA may be eligible for free companion tickets at concerts, theatres and events.

Through Ticketmaster’s Access Scheme, you pay full price for your ticket and your carer attends free of charge.

Apply for Ticketmaster Access:

https://help.ticketmaster.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360006460633-How-do-I-apply-for-Accessible-Tickets-

Ask for the:
“Access Requirements Application Form.”

Once your access needs are verified, you can access companion tickets across most events.

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5️⃣ Water Bill Support – WaterSure & Social Tariffs

Water bills can be a huge burden, especially for SEND families with additional washing, sensory needs, or medical requirements.

If you receive PIP or DLA, you may qualify for:

• WaterSure (water bill capped)
• Social tariff (reduced bill)
• Debt support programmes

Check your water company’s support options:

https://www.ccwater.org.uk/households/help-with-my-bills

Ask them:

“Can you check if I qualify for WaterSure or a social tariff based on PIP/DLA?”

If you have a water meter, WaterSure can cap your annual bill significantly.

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6️⃣ Free Disabled Bus Pass (and sometimes trains)

Many local authorities offer:

• Free disabled bus passes
• Companion passes (carer travels free)
• Reduced fare train travel (varies by region)

This saves families a huge amount on hospital appointments, school travel, and everyday transport.

Check eligibility for disabled bus passes:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

You’ll need proof of PIP/DLA eligibility.

Some councils allow you to use the pass during peak hours and even on certain local trains.

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Final Thoughts

These schemes exist because the cost of living for disabled families is significantly higher — from extra travel and equipment to energy use, food variations, and medical needs.

But unless you actively ask for these discounts, you usually won’t get them.

If you’re on PIP or DLA, you could save hundreds today simply by making a few phone calls.

We’ll continue adding more hidden discounts and support to help families manage rising costs.

If you’d like a downloadable checklist, I can create one next.

Across the UK, thousands of parents are being told the same thing by their child’s school:

“We can’t authorise absence for anxiety.”
“We can’t accept mental health as a reason.”
“We can’t authorise it without CAMHS or a diagnosis.”
“We can’t authorise it even with a GP note.”

But here’s the truth:

None of this appears in the law.
None of this appears in the DfE guidance.
And none of this is accurate.

Parents deserve clarity — not misinformation.
So here’s exactly what the law says, what anxiety-related absence really means, and what your rights are if your child can’t attend school because of emotional distress or SEND needs.

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1. Anxiety Is a Legitimate Reason for Authorised Absence

The Department for Education states clearly:

• Schools must consider mental and emotional health when deciding whether to authorise absence.
• Absence can be authorised for physical or mental illness.
• Anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or school-based trauma are valid reasons for a child to stay home.

There is no rule that says a child must be physically unwell for an absence to be authorised.

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2. Your Child Does NOT Need a Diagnosis

This is one of the most misused lines schools feed to parents:

“We can only authorise this if your child has a diagnosis or CAMHS involvement.”

Completely false.

Under the SEND Code of Practice:

Support is based on need, not diagnostic labels.

A child who is melting down, shutting down, masking to collapse, or in emotional crisis does not need to “prove” their anxiety with paperwork before being protected.

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3. GP Letters Do Count — Even If They’re Based on Parent Report

Schools often suggest GP letters are meaningless if the doctor hasn’t “witnessed” the anxiety.

But legally:

• GPs are allowed to write supporting evidence based on clinical judgement
• That includes what parents describe, observations, history, and context
• Schools cannot dismiss medical evidence simply because they disagree with it

The DfE does not state that GP notes require a mental health diagnosis.

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4. Anxiety Linked to SEND Is NOT “Non-Attendance” — It’s a SEND Need

Many children with SEND experience anxiety that directly affects attendance:

• Autism
• ADHD
• PDA
• Dyslexia or processing difficulties
• Sensory overwhelm
• Social anxiety
• School trauma

When anxiety arises from unmet needs, it becomes:

A SEND issue, not an attendance issue.

Which means:

• Unauthorised absences are inappropriate
• Punishments and sanctions may breach the Equality Act
• Schools must make reasonable adjustments
• Pressure to attend can worsen symptoms

Anxiety is a barrier to learning, not defiance.

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5. If Anxiety Prevents Attendance, the Local Authority MUST Step In (Section 19)

If a child is too anxious to attend school — especially over 15 days, consecutive or cumulative — the Local Authority becomes responsible for providing:

• Online education
• Home tuition
• Hybrid arrangements
• Specialist provision
• Alternative learning packages

Schools often claim they “can’t offer anything unless the child attends”.

But Section 19 says otherwise:

If a child cannot attend school for medical or mental health reasons, the LA must secure suitable education — full stop.

This is one of the most important rights parents need to know.

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6. Schools DO Have the Power to Authorise Anxiety-Related Absence

There’s a common myth that schools are “not allowed” to use certain codes.

In reality, schools have full discretion to authorise absence when the reason involves:

• Emotional distress
• Anxiety
• SEN-related difficulties
• Mental health concerns
• School-based triggers

Schools use this discretion daily for term-time holidays, family emergencies, funerals, and illness.

They can use it for anxiety — they just often don’t want to.

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7. Why Schools Resist Authorising Anxiety

This part isn’t in the legislation, but it is the reality.

Some schools worry about:

• Their attendance figures
• Their Ofsted rating
• Their pressure from the Local Authority
• The narrative that “anxiety isn’t a reason to stay home”

But none of these pressures override a child’s wellbeing or legal protections.

A child’s mental health is not a PR problem.
It is a safeguarding responsibility.

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8. What Parents Can Do If Schools Refuse

Here are your next steps:

1. Ask the school to put their refusal in writing.

Often they won’t — because they know it’s incorrect.

2. Provide a GP note or supporting evidence.

Even a short note explaining anxiety impact is valid.

3. Request a meeting under the SEND Code to discuss reasonable adjustments.

4. Request an EHCP assessment if anxiety affects attendance long-term.

5. Contact the Local Authority if your child cannot attend — Section 19 duties apply.

You do not have to accept an unauthorised mark if the absence is rooted in emotional or mental health.

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Final Thought

Anxiety is not misbehaviour.
It is not defiance.
It is not a parent failing to “push hard enough.”

For many children — especially those with SEND — anxiety is a real, debilitating barrier to school attendance.
And the law recognises that.

So when a school says:

“We can’t authorise absence for anxiety.”

Remember:

Yes, they can.
Yes, they should.
And legally, they must consider your child’s emotional wellbeing.

If you want a downloadable attendance rights guide, a template for challenging unauthorised marks, or a breakdown of Section 19 duties, I can create that next.

The government has announced three new measures as part of its updated Child Poverty Strategy, all designed — in theory — to improve financial support for families across the UK.

But as always, headlines don’t tell the whole story.

On paper, these changes sound promising:

1. Greater childcare access for parents on Universal Credit returning to work
2. Funding to end the practice of placing families in B&Bs long-term
3. Reforms to make baby formula more affordable

But what do these changes actually mean for the millions of families currently struggling?
What do they mean for SEND households, who are statistically twice as likely to experience poverty?
And will they make a real difference — or simply soften the edges of a much deeper crisis?

Let’s break it down honestly.

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1. “Greater childcare access for parents on Universal Credit returning to work”

The headline sounds positive. The reality is complicated.

Childcare is one of the biggest barriers facing parents — especially single parents and those with disabled children. For many families, working full-time doesn’t even cover the cost of nursery fees. So expanding access is a crucial step.

But here’s where the policy falls apart:

Childcare only works if childcare actually exists.

• Many nurseries are closing or running at reduced capacity.
• SEND children are often refused, restricted, or placed on long waiting lists.
• Staff shortages make it nearly impossible for providers to meet additional needs.
• The wraparound care required for working hours is often unavailable.

For SEND families, “greater access” means very little unless childcare settings are trained, funded, and legally held to inclusion expectations.

Childcare support will not succeed if the system itself can’t cope.

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2. “Funding to end placement of families in B&Bs long-term”

A welcome move — but unlikely to solve the root problem.

Children growing up in temporary accommodation is not a minor issue.
Many families live in one-room B&Bs with:

• No kitchen
• No privacy
• No space for homework
• No stability
• No routine
• No safety net

It is traumatising for children and deeply destabilising for parents.

Funding to stop this is a positive announcement.

But we must ask:

Where will these families go instead?

Local councils are already under immense pressure.
There are more families needing housing than there are homes available.
The shortage of affordable and accessible accommodation is severe.

Without building more homes, funding alone cannot end reliance on B&Bs.

This update fixes the symptom, not the cause.

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3. “Reforms to make baby formula more affordable”

A reminder of how desperate things have become.

Formula prices have risen dramatically.
Parents are watering down bottles to make tins last longer.
Supermarkets have security tags on newborn formula.
Foodbanks are reporting record demand for baby milk.

The fact that government reform is needed to make formula affordable is not a win.
It’s an alarm bell.

Lowering formula prices is essential, but it also exposes the uncomfortable truth:

We are living in a country where feeding a baby has become a financial crisis.

And for SEND families — who often rely on specialist formulas, allergy-safe milks, or more frequent feeding — the cost is even higher.

Formula reform helps. But it shouldn’t have been necessary in the first place.

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The Bigger Picture: Will Families Actually Feel the Difference?

These three updates are steps in the right direction, but none of them replace the structural issues driving the child poverty crisis:

• rising housing costs
• insecure work
• childcare shortages
• cuts to local services
• SEND discrimination
• rising food prices
• the legacy of the two-child cap

The government says it wants to “support families”.
But real support means addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms.

For SEND families, this is even more urgent.
They face higher costs, more barriers to work, and greater reliance on benefits — and often receive the least practical support.

Until the system itself changes, these updates offer progress, but not protection.

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Final Thought

Announcements are not the same as solutions.
Policies are not the same as lived experience.

These three new measures will help — but not enough, and not fast enough to undo the harm families have already faced.

Real support means investing in:

• accessible childcare
• affordable housing
• stable income
• SEND inclusion
• early intervention

And until those things happen, families will continue to struggle behind the headlines.