The expectations of mainstream schools
The expectations of mainstream schools concerning the use of the NotionalSENbudget are to:
- meet the costs of special educational provision for pupils identified as onSENSupport per the SENDCode of Practice
- contribute towards the costs of special educational provision for pupils with high needs (most of whom have education, health and care (EHC) plans), up to the high needs cost threshold set by the regulations (currently £6,000 per pupil per annum)
It is important to note that the notionalSENbudget is not intended to provide £6,000 for every pupil with SEN,as most such pupils’ support will cost less than that. Nor is the notionalSENbudget intended to provide a specific amount per pupil for those with lower additional support costs. The Local Authority may make reasonable assumptions about what those costs might be, to ensure that their schools’ notionalSENbudget calculation is realistic.
In Somerset, we have funding allocated to support schools that do not have sufficient notional funding to support the children and young people within the school. This is formula-based and runs following census points. Schools will be contacted about this if they are allocated additional funding through this process.
If the contribution towards the costs of special educational provision for children and young people with high needs is above the notionalSENbudget of £6,000 per pupil per annum, then Element 3 funding can be applied for through an Educational Health Care Needs assessment. See the Education Health and Care Plan page for more information. Element 3 (also known as top-up funding) is allocated to a pupil when they receive an EHCplan, and this funding is ring-fenced to the individual pupil.
There is an expectation (Department for Education and SENDCode of Practice 0-25) that the SENCOis aware of their school’s notionalSENbudget and to be actively engaged with the senior leaders of the school in deciding what to spend SENsupport and provision on. It is for the SENCO, headteacher and governing body to establish a clear picture of the resources that are available to the school, and to consider their strategic approach to meeting SENin the context of the total resources available to them, including any resources targeted at particular groups, such as the pupil premium. The additional resources included in the Somerset Graduated Response Tool on whole school costed provision plans and individual pupil costed provision plans support this strategic approach toSENfunding.
When to use - strategic planning and monitoring of SEN funding
NASENWhole school costed provision map is to be used before the new academic year to plan provision for pupils across the whole school based on identified needs.
Whole SchoolSENFunding Overview to be used before the new academic year to planSENexpenditure based on information within the whole school and the costed provision map.
When to use - individual pupil planning and tracking of SEN funding
When making a Request for Statutory Assessment to evidence where the school contribution towards the costs of special educational provision for pupils with high needs is above the notionalSENbudget of £6,000 per pupil per annum.
When schools are struggling to meet the needs of a pupil with an EHCplan and evidencing where the school contribution towards the costs of special educational provision for pupils with high needs is above the notionalSENbudget of £6,000 per pupil per annum and exceeds the additional element 3 funding.