Management Information Sheet

This communication provides information on the next phase of implementation of the funding application process for children and young people with an EHC Plan in mainstream schools/academies and those with high needs at SEN Support. Schools and academies are asked to note arrangements and actions required for the autumn term 2019.

Virtual School SEND, update on SEND funding processes

1. A summary to date

Last year, following consultation with a cross section of stakeholders, a banding system for children and young people with EHC Plans was implemented with effect from the beginning of October 2018.

Since then the Virtual School SEND have:

• administered and, in response to feedback, further developed 5 high needs SEND top up* funding rounds
• allocated funding to 2834 pupils in the 6 months from October 2018 to 31 March 2019 and 2419 pupils in the summer term 2019 to date
• visited schools to provide advice and support
• introduced termly SEND Forums
• hosted funding workshops, with more planned for the autumn term
• reviewed and updated the Provision Expected at SEN Support (PEaSS) document in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders
• attended regional and national SEND conferences and events

*please note the term 'top-up' will be replaced with 'Element 3' funding in future documentation

2. Current position

The VS SEND are currently working as part of the wider SEND Transformation Project scrutinising and reviewing the present funding system based on feedback and information gathered from stakeholders and the funding working group during the last academic year.

3. Next steps

To ensure that the funding model aligns with the SEND Transformation Project we will continue to run the current processes for element 3 high needs top up funding for the autumn term 2019. This will allow us sufficient time to engage further with our partners and stakeholders to ensure we work collaboratively to develop the optimal SEND funding process.

4. Actions for schools - autumn term funding 2019

Banding values applicable for the autumn term 2019 The rates equate to 4/12ths funding and cover the period September to December 2019.

Band	Cost
Band 1	£450.00
Band 2	£746.67
Band 3	£1,348.00

When will schools need to fill in an application form?

For the autumn term: -

• EHCP funding will automatically be allocated based on the most recent band submitted
• SEN Support top up funding will automatically be allocated to those pupils who received funding in the summer term 2019 and will be based on the band agreed by the moderators
• Schools will only need to complete an application form for EHCP or high needs SEN Support top up funding if: -
• pupils have NOT previously received funding through the high needs EHCP/SEN support process
• a pupil's banding has changed
• a pupil has left
• a pupil has joined

Leavers and Joiners

Any pupil currently in Year Groups 2, 6 and 11 will automatically be removed from the funding list for their current school. Schools will not need to inform us of these leavers. You will need to let us know if any pupils in these groups are staying with you and why. For pupils transitioning to new settings in September (Year 3's and Year 7's), it is important that schools treat these as joiners and let us know by completing an application form The application forms have sections covering these criteria, please ensure you complete the relevant section. Previous versions of the form will not be accepted.

Timeline of events

Event	Date
Deadline for applications	Wednesday 30 October
Processing applications	With effect from 31 October
Moderation	w/c Monday 11 November
Feedback to schools	w/c Monday 2 December

Banding descriptors and values for the autumn term 2019

Band	Descriptors for High Needs SEND Top-Up Funding
	'Targeted additional support staff curriculum time' includes either one to one supervision or bespoke/small group interventions with an enhanced adult to child ratio. Despite: the school making all necessary 'reasonable adjustments' the school implementing provision that is 'additional to' or 'different from' that already available to meet the needs of the majority of children/young people the school maximising the use of the school's core offer as part of the Norfolk Local Offer the school maximising the use of the Norfolk Local Offer
High Needs/Medical Needs	The child/young person requires up to approximately 50% of targeted additional support staff curriculum time to enable their access to the curriculum The child/young person requires monitoring due to their medical needs during curriculum time, break and lunchtimes	£450.00
2. Higher Needs/High Medical Needs	The child/young person requires at least 50% but not more than 100% of targeted additional support staff curriculum time to enable their access to the curriculum The child/young person requires close supervision due to their medical needs during curriculum time, break and lunchtimes	£746.67
3. Exceptional Needs/Extreme Medical Needs	The child/young person requires 100% of targeted additional support staff curriculum time to enable their access to the curriculum plus full-time additional support staff time to enable their access to break and lunchtimes or for close supervision due to their medical needs	£1348.00

5. Dates to note:

SEND funding workshops

Workshops for SENCos are being held on the following dates: - 17 September - Norwich Professional Development Centre 18 September - College of West Anglia

SEND Forums

SEND Forums for the autumn term are being held at locations during November 2019

For more information and to book a place on any of the above please email amanda.seely@norfolk.gov.uk or go to www.educatorsolutions.org.uk

Whole School SEND

We will be working with Whole School SEND over the next year and will provide more information in relation to this in due course.

For any general funding queries please email cs.educationvssendfunding@norfolk.gov.uk