Targeted SEND funding – schools
The key principles for the funding of higher needs pupils are
- funding for high needs provision is to be arranged on an equivalent basis across different types of providers, including maintained or academy schools
- this includes pupils and students with high needs in the school or academy, further education and alternative provision sectors
- a 'place-plus' approach to funding in specialist settings is being adopted
Schools' high needs panel funding application
The first time you complete a new form you will be asked to create a personal account. You will then be able to view your saved and completed forms once logged in.
If you experience any problems accessing forms, for schools applications, please contact the Education Funding Team on [email protected]
The Targeted SEND Funding Panel meets monthly during term-time. They will consider applications from schools for high needs funding for children without an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Each application is discussed to determine whether the child meets high needs criteria in line with the SEN Ranges.
There are two decision types:
- the child meets the criteria for high needs funding
- the child does not meet the criteria for high needs funding
Decisions are notified to schools via email within 10 working days from the panel date, the decision notification confirms the funding period and the amount to be funded.
West Northamptonshire Council - High Needs Panel meeting dates 2023 to 2024
| Panel dates | Schools decisions notification date |
|---|---|
| 7 June 2024 | 21 June 2024 |
| 5 July 2024 | 19 July 2024 |
| 18 October 2024 | 1 November 2024 |
| 29 November 2024 | 13 December 2024 |
| 17 January 2025 | 31 January 2025 |
| 7 March 2025 | 21 March 2025 |
| 18 April 2025 | 2 May 2025 |
| 30 May 2025 | 13 June 2025 |
| 4 July 2025 | 18 July 2025 |
All panel decisions will be sent out via Egress secure email to the email address provided on the application form. Completed applications can be submitted at any time and will be considered in date order, at the closest panel meeting date with capacity.
Please note that applications must be checked and prepared and that panel members require at least 5 working days to review applications prior to the panel meeting. Applications submitted close to a panel date will therefore be submitted to the next panel.
Schools funding decisions will be notified within 10 working days of the panel date and will outline a start and finish date.
Further guidance
Existing arrangements will continue at their current level for the duration of the approved period.
The document fulfils a Department for Education requirement for each local authority to explain the special educational needs provision it expects to be made from within a mainstream school's budget share. It clearly explains the provision for pupils from early years settings and schools and will form part of the Local Offer.
The document should be used as required to inform good practice and support effective provision for pupils with special educational needs.
e-mail: [email protected]
From 01 September 2024, targeted SEND funding will be strongly aligned with the SEND Ranges. The implementation of the SEND Ranges by mainstream schools is a mandatory condition of the additional funding.
Funding scale
Funding will support SEND Ranges 4a, 4b, 5, 6 and 7 from 01 September. This new funding scale replaces the current funding (which has a maximum level of £6,000).
- SEND Range 1 = £0.00
- SEND Range 2 = £0.00
- SEND Range 3 = £0.00
- SEND Range 4a = Up to £4,000
- SEND Range 4b = Up to £6,000
- SEND Range 5 = Up to £8,000
- SEND Range 6 = Up to £8,000
- SEND Range 7 = Up to £8,000
The creation of the Unitary authorities in Northamptonshire has resulted in additional cross border pupils for example a child with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who lives in, and is the funding responsibility of, their 'home' authority, but goes to a school in another authority.
The arrangement for schools to be paid for SEN support for such EHCP pupils, is that the agreed funding is recharged via invoice/s raised by the school to the funding authority - this process is already in place for existing neighbouring authorities.
Schools must invoice the relevant funding authority for agreed SEN support funding. This arrangement applies to mainstream schools (maintained and academy), special schools, unit provisions and early years settings.
Where schools have pupils from another authority without an Education Health and Care Plan but agreed Schools' High Needs Panel funding, they will again need to invoice the funding authority direct.
Invoices will need to be addressed as below:
West Northamptonshire Council
One Angel Square
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
You will not require a purchase order number, but invoices must be emailed to:
Please provide invoices on a termly basis (to support cash flow, we are able to accept invoices in advance), so this will usually be the annual amount agreed divided by three terms (except where one-off amount etc.)
Please provide full backing information to support the claim - pupil name and date of birth, funding level (RAS or EHCP level), special arrangement funding detail and period of claim.
For some children and young people (for example those who are 'looked after'), it can be difficult to establish which authority is financially responsible for funding their SEN top up. If you require assistance to clarify, or if you have any other query, please contact the appropriate Educational Funding Team.
Last updated 08 August 2024