Management Information Sheet

From September 2017 a revised placement contribution model will be implemented for schools accessing support from the following Specialist Resource Bases:

• Learning and Cognition (LCN)
• Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
• Social Emotional and Mental Difficulties (SEMH) formerly BESD bases

This is because home schools retain Basic Per Pupil Element (BPPE) funding and all other pupil led factors in their school budget whilst in parallel SRB places are funded at the outset from the high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant, effectively double funding the places within the school funding system.

SRBs will continue to be funded directly from the High Needs Block but schools accessing placements in SRBs will be charged a placement contribution via a recoupment of Basic Per Pupil Element funding currently at the following rates:

This recoupment will be pro rata for the length of the placement in the SRB and will replace the placement contribution charge introduced as part of the last model.

The charges will be pro rata to the nearest month. For example, if a child joined on 1st September 2017 and left before the mid-point in the month e.g. on 13 February 2017 that would equal a pro rata charge of BPPE for Sept - Jan. If a child left the SRB after the mid-point in the month, the charge would be inclusive of the last month equal to the Pro rata charge of BPPE for Sept - Feb.

For SRBs offering a part time model (2 days per week) - the contribution will be pro rata at 50% of the above termly rate.

Should the home school change midway during the placement the originating home school will continue to pay the charge for the duration of the placement within the current financial year. This is because the home school retains the BPPE funding and other pupil led funding until the end of the financial year.

Existing placements already agreed will be charged at the existing contribution rates. Form information on the existing contribution rates please see MI Sheet 190/14

The charge will NOT apply to permanent placements whereby children go on the roll of the SRB school i.e. ASD bases and Deaf Resource Bases. This is because these institutions have the BPPE deducted for the SRB places they have as part of their pupil numbers.

The rationale for this change is four fold:

• There is a need to address double funding issues within the national funding formula relating to Basic Per Element Funding.
• Following the recent Fair Funding Consultation with schools on strategies to address a critical overspend on the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant; proposals included reducing SRB provision and a move to a traded model.
• The SRB Recommissioning Project Recommendations also signalled a need to protect SRB services for schools and address double funding issues between the school and high needs blocks of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
• The LA also recognises that SRBs need a minimum funding guarantee to operate the provision effectively as a key part of the school.

Key point to note:

• No child should be denied access to the support on offer from an SRB on grounds of there not being sufficient funding. Home schools retain Basic Per Pupil Element (BPPE) funding and all other pupil led factors in their school budget whilst in parallel SRB places are funded at the outset from the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant, effectively double funding the places within the school funding system.
• The expectation is that the contribution should be funded from the main school budget and not from Cluster. However, Clusters may choose to support schools depending on Cluster Governance Agreements.
• As part of the online referral process a revised terms and conditions of SRB placement has been developed to reflect these changes and clarify expectations of the home school during the placement. A copy of which can be downloaded here
• Schools Finance will administer the process. The arrangements will be kept under review by the Learning Difficulties and Disabilities sub group of Schools Forum and any further changes are subject to the outcome for the national funding formula consultation for schools.