Decision details

Implementing a new funding model within the High Needs Block that will remove the additional SEND top up payments and increase the individual banded rates

To implement the revisions to SEND support funding for mainstream schools from September 2022 by enabling the removal of the additional SEND top up funding and increasing the individual banded rates, as detailed in option 3. (These options are outlined further in the Mainstream School Funding for SEND report in paragraph 5.8)

In response to the consultation, to agree that £1.63m of transitional funding be paid from the High Needs Block for a one-year period only to those schools that

would see a reduction in their funding level under the new arrangements. The transitional period would be from September 22 and August 23 and the payments will be 50% of the funding reduction. This arrangement takes into consideration academic year employment cycles and allows optimum planning time for schools’ budgets.

To note that the £1.63m transitional payment will add to the Council’s High Needs Block cumulative deficit.

The purpose of this report is to seek the City Mayor and Executive approval to implement a fairer funding model across all the mainstream schools with effect from September 2022 that provide support to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The following options were considered:

Option 1:         Continue with existing funding method.

Option 2:         Increase the existing threshold level at which additional SEND top up payments are paid.

Option 3:         Provide support to school with enhanced per pupil top up payments that are based on the actual number of high needs pupils in the school and their associated costs.

These options are outlined further in the Mainstream School Funding for SEND report in paragraph 5.8