Funding for SEN Support in Schools
All mainstream schools are provided with resources to support those with additional needs, including pupils with SEN and disabilities. Schools have an amount identified within their overall budget, called the notional SEN budget.
Schools are not expected to meet the full costs of more expensive special educational provision from their core funding. The responsible local authority should provide additional top-up funding where the cost of the special educational provision required to meet the needs of an individual pupil exceeds the nationally prescribed threshold.
Mainstream Setting | Special School/Resource Provision in Mainstream Setting | |
Element 1 Universal | Basic entitlement – per pupil/learner of £4K within school delegated budget. | Place funding of £10K through delegated budget. This is the combined total of Elements 1 and 2 (£4K and £6K) |
Element 2 Low cost, high incidence | Additional funding through the schools delegated notional SEN budget – schools are expected to provide support up to the equivalent of £6K per pupil/learner. | |
Element 3 High cost, low incidence
Top up funding | Further funding required above the £6K of Element 2 to meet the assessed needs of the pupil/learner as set out in their EHC Plan or at SEN Support
Budget centrally managed and delegated to school based on individual pupil/learner need | Further funding required above the place element of £10K to meet the assessed needs of the pupil/learner as set out in their EHC Plan or statement of SEN.
Budget centrally managed and delegated to school based on individual pupil/learner need. |