DLA Care Diary — Optional 14-Day Evidence Organiser
A diary is one possible way to organise accurate care and supervision examples. This tool provides a 14-day structure and creates a printable summary for you to review; the DWP does not require or rank this format.
Privacy on this device: The details you enter are not sent to SENDPath or any third party. They are saved in this browser and remain after you close it. If this is a shared or public device, export anything you need, then use Reset diary on the Review & export tab before you leave.
Set up your diary
Tell us a little about your child and choose any start date. Fourteen days is this tool's optional structure, not a DWP-required or recommended period.
Why a diary may help. A dated record can help you remember frequency, duration, assistance and supervision when completing the form. DWP notes list a diary from a carer or family member as one possible evidence source; it is neither required nor a guarantee of an award.
What to record accurately:
- Frequency — how often the care happens (e.g. "5 night wakes per week")
- Duration — how long it takes each time (e.g. "45 minutes to settle")
- Comparison — how it differs from a non-disabled child of the same age
- The full pattern — include typical, better and worse days, and say how often each occurs
- Specific examples — "wouldn't put coat on, missed school bus" beats "had a meltdown"
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Day — of 14
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Your 14-day diary at a glance
0Total entries
0Minutes of care
0Days with entries
0Avg entries / day
14-day overview
Click a day to jump to it. Red = 6+ entries, Amber = 1–5, Grey = empty.
Export your diary
Once you've finished logging, generate a PDF to attach to your DLA1A form. Print it and post it with your application, or send it electronically if your form allows.
Wipes everything from your browser. Export first if you want to keep it.
Tips for a strong diary
- Accuracy is critical. Do not exaggerate, select only difficult days, or minimise routine help. Correct anything that is not representative before using the export.
- The full pattern, not one selected day. Record typical, better and harder days and how often each occurs. If there are three night wakes, record the date, help given and time taken.
- Specific times and durations add clarity. For example, record when an event began, what help was provided, and how long it took, rather than writing only "bad night".
- Use the legal comparison carefully. Describe the extra or different help compared with what a non-disabled child of the same age would reasonably need; avoid assumptions based only on diagnosis.
- Don't filter the things you've normalised. If you cut food into specific shapes, write it down. If you check on them every 20 minutes overnight, write it down.
- Use the child or family's preferred language. Focus on accurate needs, help, frequency, duration and risk rather than labels.
More help. Read the full DLA guide for autistic children for current rates and evidence prompts. See the fictional DLA care-needs illustrations for examples of detail, not real decisions. Use the DLA criteria reflection tool to organise topics without an eligibility score or rate prediction.