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Finding Funding for Private Assessments and Tuition

The British Dyslexia Association is unable to offer grants or bursaries for private assessments or for tuition.

Diagnostic dyslexia assessments are carried out by Chartered Psychologists, usually Educational, (sometimes also Occupational and occasionally Clinical), and also by specialist dyslexia teachers qualified to carry out assessments.

Dyslexia assessments are not funded by the NHS. Dyslexia is not normally part of medical training, so a GP would very rarely be able to help.

We suggest that the following leads are used as starting points in any search for funding:

Assessments.

  • For a local authority assessment, applications should be made via the school, otherwise via an LEA Education department – see the DfE publication ‘Special Educational Needs: a Guide for Parents and Carers’.
  • Where a child is becoming distressed because of lack of dyslexia identification and support, a GP could be asked to write to the school to address the situation. Schools have a duty to respond to GP’s letters.
  • Some private medical insurance companies will fund independent assessments.
  • Large employers and those in the public sector will often fund assessments for an employee. Smaller employers may help with the cost.
  • Learning Support Departments in FE colleges often have facilities or arrangements in place for making independent funded assessments.
  • Universities will sometimes have arrangements in place or will consider funding through the Hardship Fund.
  • Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres can occasionally make a referral to the Occupational Psychology service.

Private Tuition

  • A few tuition centres may offer bursaries.
  • Members of The Educational Trust Forum will consider applications for specialist schooling.
  • Independent Schools Council Information Service offer advice in searching for trusts to fund schooling.
  • Students in HE should be able to access funding for tuition as part of the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
  • Disability Employment Advisors (at Job Centres) may occasionally refer unemployed dyslexic people for specialist support.
  • Employers, employees and the self employed can seek help from Access to Work, which may include specialist dyslexia training or coaching.
  • Employers may fund tuition.
  • Librarians are often able to signpost to local charities and educational trusts.
  • Reference books in libraries also list leads to approach.

Scholarships.

  • Academic Scholarships and bursaries for UK Universities and Educational Institutions through student website or reference books.

Career Development.

  • Aged between 14 and 30 the Princes Trust has a number of ways of helping you to move forward.
  • Loans for students in Higher Education.
  • Employed, self-employed and unemployed can benefit from a career development loan.
  • Next Step is a government funded organisation which gives you access to information, careers advice and resources, which can help you make more effective skills, work and life choices. In some areas of the country Next Step funds literacy training for dyslexia.
    Website: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Technology.

  • FE students can ask their institution to apply for funding to support their needs. FE colleges can apply to the Local Authority for funding.
  • HE students can apply for equipment through the Student Disability Allowance (DSA), details are explained in the DfE publication 'Bridging the Gap'.
  • The Employed and Self Employed may benefit from specialist assistive software and other aids via an Access to Work workplace needs assessment.

Both The Educational Grants Directory and Grants for Individuals in Need are reference books available in public libraries.

Other useful contacts:

  • Academic Scholarships Bursaries
  • The Good Schools Guide
  • The Educational Trusts Forum
  • Access-to-Work
  • Princes Trust
  • The Student Loan Company
  • Career Development Loans