Days out with the Max Card: discounts for families of children with SEND
The Max Card gets families of children with special educational needs or disabilities, and foster families, free or cheaper entry at venues across the UK. You cannot get it from Max Card directly, and not every area has it. Here is how it works.
The short version
- For families caring for a child or young person up to 25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and for registered foster carers.
- You get it through a local distributor, usually your council or a local charity. Max Card does not issue cards to individuals.
- The card belongs to the child, so the child must be there to use it.
- Each venue decides its own offer, including how many adults it covers, and can change or withdraw it at any time.
What the Max Card is
The Max Card is a discount card for days out. Participating venues, such as castles, zoos and bowling alleys, offer free or reduced entry to cardholders. You can search for venues on the Max Card website.
It is not a government scheme and it is not linked to any benefit. Councils and selected charities buy into it and hand cards out to local families. That is why it is common in some areas and missing in others.
Who qualifies
Max Card says the card is for people caring for a child with special needs and/or disabilities, and for registered foster carers. Children and young people are eligible up to the age of 25.
Max Card does not set a national list of evidence. Your local distributor decides what to ask for, which might be a DLA award letter, an education, health and care plan, a letter from a professional, or simply being known to a local service. Ask your distributor.
Adopted children are not currently covered just because they are adopted. Max Card says the card is only for looked-after children and children with special educational needs and disabilities. If your adopted child has SEND, they can qualify on that basis.
How to get a card
- Go to the Max Card website and use the local distributors search or the Enquire Now link to find who covers your area.
- Contact that distributor. Max Card says cards are provided by local authorities and selected charities.
- Provide whatever evidence they ask for and wait for the card. Max Card says delivery times depend on the distributor, so ask them rather than Max Card.
- Note the expiry date on the back. When it runs out, or if you lose the card, you go back to your distributor. Max Card cannot replace cards itself, and a replacement is at the distributor’s discretion.
If your area does not offer it
Max Card’s advice is to contact your local authority and tell them about the scheme, so they know there is demand. It is worth doing, especially if you can get your local parent carer forum to back you.
In the meantime, look at the other routes to cheaper days out. An Access Card or a venue’s own carer ticket policy may get a companion in free, and a CEA Card covers the cinema.
Using the card on the day
Because the card is the child’s, the child has to be there. Venues may ask for proof of identity when you show it.
The biggest source of surprises is how many people the offer covers. Max Card says that in many cases the discount extends to carers and accompanying family members, but it varies by venue. One venue might let the child in free and charge everyone else, while another might include two adults. Max Card asks families to be certain how many adults and children are covered before they visit.
Offers are at each venue’s discretion and can be withdrawn at any time, with immediate effect. Max Card tries to keep listings up to date, but if a day out depends on the discount, phone or email the venue first.
How it fits with other cards
The main schemes do different jobs, so many families end up with more than one:
- Max Card: family discounts at participating venues, for children and young people with SEND up to 25 and fostered children. Free or cheaper entry, with the details set by each venue.
- CEA Card: the cinema only. A free ticket for the person who goes with a cardholder aged 5 or over. £6.50 a year.
- Access Card: shows access needs at theatres, gigs, attractions and other venues, including a +1 symbol for an essential companion. £15 for 3 years.
- A venue’s own access scheme: some attractions and theme parks run their own registration or ride access passes. Check their website.
Whether a venue lets you combine a Max Card discount with a carer ticket or another offer is up to the venue. If it matters, ask before you book.
Related entitlement pages
- Max Card — A discount card for families of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, giving free or cheaper entry at participating days out.
- Carer and companion concessions at attractions — Many visitor attractions offer a free or reduced essential-companion ticket if you are disabled and need support to visit.
- Access Card (Nimbus) — A widely used access and companion card for venues, theatres and attractions, showing the adjustments you need.
- CEA Card — A cinema card that lets a companion go free when you buy a full-price ticket at participating cinemas.
- Family Fund — Grants for families on a low income raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young person.
Organisations that can help
These are listings from our directory. They are not a recommendation, and they may not cover your area.
Contact
National charity supporting families with disabled children and young people, including a free helpline and information on benefits, education and care.
Benefits advice and welfare rights
Scope
National disability charity offering free, independent information and advice for disabled people and families, including a helpline and webchat. Check the website for current opening hours.
Benefits advice and welfare rights
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Max Card cost?
Max Card does not publish a national price, because cards come from local distributors such as councils and charities. Ask your distributor.
Can grandparents use our child’s Max Card?
The card belongs to the child and the child must be present. Whether the discount covers the adults with them, and how many, is up to each venue, so check with the venue first.
Does my child need DLA or an EHC plan to get a Max Card?
Max Card does not set a national evidence list. Your local distributor decides what it asks for, so check with them.
What age does the Max Card go up to?
Max Card says children and young people are eligible up to the age of 25.
This guide is part of our Days out, cinema and carer concessions if you are disabled guide. You might also want: The CEA Card explained, Changing Places toilets and the Radar key, Access Card and companion tickets.