With over three decades of combined experience in financial services, Danni and Kath bring not only deep technical expertise but also personal insight as parents of autistic sons. At DWJ Wealth Management, they understand that planning for a child with additional needs requires much more than financial advice – it calls for empathy, specialist knowledge, and a long-term view.

Danni and Kath specialise in:

• Advising families of vulnerable individuals
• Creating and managing family trusts
• Constructing special needs plans tailored to each family
• Coordinating with solicitors, professional deputies, and trustees

Their advice is clear, compassionate, and always client-centred – free from jargon and designed to empower.

Danni is also an accredited adviser with the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), further enhancing their ability to support complex, intergenerational needs.

Outside of work, Danni and Kath are active members of their local community and proud supporters of several charities focused on disability and inclusion.

Why SEND Families Need Specialist Advice

According to recent figures, *1.6 million school-aged children in England have identified SEN – a number that has doubled in the last decade. Yet despite this growth, financial planning for SEND families remains a widely misunderstood and under-served area.

Danni and Kath have spoken with many parents and carers, most of whom share the same concerns:

• “How do I provide for my child when I’m no longer here?”
• “Will my child’s care or benefits be affected by an inheritance?”
• “What happens when my child reaches adulthood?”

Without the right guidance, well-meaning financial decisions can unknowingly put care packages or means-tested benefits at risk. We are passionate about creating a bespoke financial plan for each family ensuring all of the family and child’s needs are met.

*Source GOV.uk dated 12th June 2025

Trusts: More Than Just a Financial Tool

Trusts play a critical role in protecting both assets and the wellbeing of a vulnerable beneficiary.

Why a trust may be appropriate:

• Your dependant cannot manage their own finances.
• You want to maintain control over how funds are used.
• Your dependant receives means-tested benefits or care.
• You want to safeguard against financial exploitation.

There are specialist trust structures – such as Vulnerable Beneficiary Trusts – which can provide preferential tax treatment while ensuring funds are used appropriately.

For example, one mother’s decision to leave her estate outright to her son with ASD sadly led to him losing all his inheritance within nine months, having fallen prey to manipulation. A trust could have prevented this.

Our SENDA Planning Approach

Every SENDA client journey begins by understanding the child.

“Financial planning is usually centred around the parents – but in our work, the child is at the heart.” – Danni

The financial planning journey…

1. Address immediate risks (e.g. Child Trust Funds and capacity issues)
2. Map out a Special Needs Plan, including care, housing, and long-term support
3. Coordinate pensions, life cover, wills, and trusts so everything aligns

Everything is documented in a central plan portal – an invaluable resource for trustees, guardians, and family members alike.

Long-Term Investment Planning

When planning financially for a child with additional needs, it’s essential to consider:

• Access: Will the dependant be able to access funds directly – and should they?
• Risk: What is the right balance between growth and safeguarding?
• Means-tested care: Could an inheritance or gift impact vital services?

Your goals may include:

• Funding long-term care or therapies
• Enabling independent living or adapted housing
• Providing top-up funding for council-supported care

Our investment strategies are built with purpose – aligned to your family’s specific needs, outlook, and values.

Client Voices

Want to hear from someone who’s been on this journey? We’d be happy to introduce you to one of our clients who can share their personal experience of planning for their family’s future with us.

At DWJ Wealth Management, we deliver expert, compassionate financial planning for families of children with SEND. If you would like to explore how we could help, please get in touch.