New courses to help planners support special needs clients

SENDA, a new company offering advisers support on Financial Planning for special needs’ clients, has launched two introductory training programmes accredited by the LIBF professional body.

The company, set up by a Chartered Financial Planner and a colleague, says the launch opens a “structured pathway” for financial professionals to begin engaging with the needs of SEND families.

SEND stands for Special Education Needs and Disabilities and SENDA provides support on working with clients in these categories.

The courses are the LIBF-Accredited one hour Introduction to Special Needs Planning and the LIBF-accredited three hour SENDA Foundation Course.

SENDA, set up by Chartered Financial Planner Rhiannon Gogh and colleague Ali Fanshaw, says the courses are designed to build, “awareness, curiosity and a foundational understanding” of the financial and estate planning needs of families with disabled or vulnerable dependants among professionals who may currently have little or no experience in this area.

According to SENDA, families living with disabled or vulnerable dependants face a “uniquely complex Financial Planning landscape”, navigating means-tested benefits, mental capacity considerations, trust structures and long-term care provision. Despite this many financial and legal professionals have had little experience in working with clients with disabilities, the company says.

The courses sit at the introductory level of SENDA’s developing professional framework. SENDA plans to launch a full certification programme later this year.

Rhiannon Gogh, CEO of SENDA, said: “For too long, SEND families have tried to find professionals who understand their world, and often come away feeling that their situation is simply too complex or unfamiliar. These courses are about changing that from the ground up: giving professionals across financial and legal services a genuine understanding of what Special Needs Planning involves, why it matters, and what they need to think about differently.”

Steve Hill, Vice-Chancellor and CEO, Walbrook Institute London, the parent company of the LIBF, said: “Walbrook Institute London is proud to partner with SENDA to provide LIBF accreditation for these two new courses. Good Financial Planning is especially important for SEND families, who will often have more complex, long-term planning needs.” 

LIBF (the London Institute of Banking and Finance) has been in existence for over 145 years and is based in the City of London. It provides a range of professional qualifications and training. 

• The courses are available at senda.org.uk/training.