Management Information Sheet

Supplementary Briefing Note re Exceptional Circumstances Funding

What is Exceptional Circumstances Funding (ECF)?
ECF is a small discrete funding stream available to Early Years and SEN Panels to be used to 'top-up' resources normally available to schools / school clusters in exceptional circumstances.

Funding will be allocated retrospectively, where agreed, ie the expectation is that schools make appropriate provision on the first day that a need is identified and do not wait for funding decisions through this route. Having made the provision schools should then request resourcing via the Cluster Meeting.

The ECF budget is finite, cash-limited and cannot be overspent. Early Years and SEN Panels (EYSENP) will receive budget information prior to the meeting. It should be borne in mind that ECF is 'top-up' funding only. The maximum sum per term for each panel meeting is £10,000 for the remainder of the financial year 2012-13. Future allocations, beyond the end of the current financial year, are to be confirmed after the conclusion of the current fair funding consultation process.

Under what circumstances are ECF likely to be appropriate?
Exceptional needs will be rare. This type of request will be very low incidence and likely to be high cost, ie over and above the cost of full-time provision (25 hours Teaching Assistance (TA) plus 5 hours Midday Supervisory Assistance (MSA)). It is likely to be required for 'additionality' and a unique set of circumstances above that which would normally be provided for within the delegated SEND resourcing normally available to a school / school cluster.
For example:

	The learner's Statement will be quantified with the need for a support worker with a specific qualification, eg BSL Level 2 or above. ECF would cover the additional cost of the BSL trained support worker over and above the 'going rate' for a TA who was not BSL qualified
	A learner with VI requiring Brailled texts to be prepared in addition to full time support in the classroom. ECF would cover the additional TA hours for brailling text over and above the hours for a full time TA.
	Combination of individual pupil needs together with dynamics related to the funding context of the individual school and cluster

What evidence is required for ECF?
Evidence will be specific to the case and should include professional advice evidencing the needs of the pupil which justifies the 'exceptionality' of the learner's SEND and the provision required and already put in place by the school. The school's evidence should clearly indicate the full annual costs of the provision to enable the panel to make an informed funding decision.

Evidence will be required regarding the nature and effectiveness of the intervention for which ECF is being requested. List of documents:

Copy of child/young person's Statement of SEN and most recent annual review

Up to date professional reports which identify needs

School / School Cluster funding allocation decisions / contingency

Applications for ECF must be made on the ECF application form, which will be available on Norfolk Schools Support for Learning Funding guidance effective from 01 September 2012.

Where are decisions made about ECF?
The Early Years and SEN Panels (EYSENP) will consider referrals for ECF at their last meeting of each school term (20 December 2012 and 21 March 2013). The panel meeting will be extended to take account of any referrals and Cluster representatives will be invited to attend that section of the panel meeting.

Requests for ECF funding must be made at least one week in advance of the EYSENP meeting, ie 13 December 2012 and 14 March 2013 are the deadline dates for requests to be received.

Decisions will be made based upon the written evidence provided to the Cluster Meeting in addition to an update provided by the school regarding the effectiveness of the intervention.

What is the Referral Route for Exceptional Circumstances Funding (ECF)?
Requests for ECF will come from a Cluster Funding meeting and will be 'signed off' by the Cluster Chair. The documentation will consist of:

Any evidence submitted to the Cluster Meeting

Record of the Cluster discussion and decision

An update provided by the school regarding the effectiveness of the intervention.

Covering letter/email from the Cluster Chair referring the request to the Early Years and SEN Panel

Can schools refer direct to the Early Years and SEN Panel for ECF?
No. The request must come via and have been agreed by the Cluster Meeting. Only the Cluster Chair can submit a request for ECF.

What does ECF not cover?

the total cost of provision - it is 'top-up' funding only

any provision at or less than 25 hours TA plus 5 hours MSA

specialist equipment

alterations to school buildings

school trips

non-educational provision

transport costs

A further update on ECF will be available following the outcome of this September's Fair Funding Consultation and implementation of the new Cluster Funding Scheme.