New Doncaster SEND Funding System for Schools 2024

SEND FUNDING TWILIGHT TRAINING SEND Funding The Doncaster Way 2024

Aims Understand the background, process and protocols of the new SEND funding system in Doncaster Work through a examples Contact details and further information

BACKGROUND, PROCESS AND PROTOCOLS SEND Funding The Doncaster Way 2024

Key Messages Schools and council now have shared collective responsibility over Element 3 funding High Needs funding is a limited resource Funding has been allocated to each pyramid based on historical spend and anticipated need Funding up to Band 2d (currently 8000) can be accessed without an EHCP Funding is for children with High Needs (targeted +/ Specialist) Easier to access additional funding Support for schools to implement HQT(Toolkit, CPD etc.) Higher accountability, transparency and collaboration Group funding requests can be made

The new Doncaster way The aim of the new system is to level the playing field and ensure the finite resource is shared equitably, on the basis of need. Schools should be decision makers. Funding can be acquired within weeks. Focus resources on those with the highest needs Promote inclusion in our mainstream schools. Focus on efficient use of resources including effective deployment of TAs

Panels Current EHCP funding will remain attached to the plan until it is reviewed via an Annual Review. Applications for continuation of funding including an increase, decrease or to remain the same will go to the PFP. There will be one main panel each year for each pyramid and then Emerging Need Panels every half term beyond that. All SENDCOs are expected to attend the main PFP whether they have cases or not, local schools are decision makers in panels. Schools are being reimbursed for the main panel day We anticipate that over time, only for those cases where there is an exceptional level of long-term need in place, would an EHCP be necessary.

Eligibility Criteria CYP attends a mainstream Doncaster school Full notional spend has been utilised The CYP's level of need aligns with Targeted + or Specialist Level Graduated Approach followed with at least 2 cycles of Assess, Plan, Do, Review at a Targeted Level

Eligibility Criteria- Exceptions CYP attends a mainstream Doncaster school Full notional spend has been utilised The CYP's level of need aligns with Targeted + or Specialist Level At least 1 cycles of Assess, Plan, Do, Review at a Targeted Level

Before the meeting Access training either online session or slides from toolkit Read Guidance and Terms of Reference Complete application forms and submit alongside SEND Support Plan/ EHCP through Perspective by deadline stated on toolkit Discuss funding requests with relevant professionals In rare and exceptional circumstances, when there is additional complexity or potential for high costs these applications will need to be triaged to identify the appropriate panel, following an initial request to Pyramid Funding Panel. This may result in a requirement to submit to the SEND QA Panel.

Funding Application Full instructions and advice for completion of the Funding Application Form are included under the Guidance Tab within the form. The Funding Application Form can be found within the SEND Toolkit here: Funding and Needs Descriptors - City of Doncaster Council When completing the form ensure that there is a full description of the needs of the CYP so that the panel has a complete picture. Be precise when describing the difficulties, list evidence and examples of behaviour/need. No need to duplicate information. You also need to detail how the funding will be spent i.e. additional interventions and the expected outcome of these interventions. In the spirit of collective responsibility and best practice deployment (TA deployment Information June 24.docx (live.com), panels should encourage schools to think flexibly and combine resources to meet the needs of groups of learners, where this is appropriate and possible. For this reason, there are two sorts of requests for funding, one for individual learners and another for groups. Calculating weekly cost per learner: (Hourly rate of staff member/60minutes) x number of minutes in column K. Then divide this cost by the number of children in the group identified in column H

Group applications Applications can be submitted for accurately planned and costed proposed groups Applications can be submitted for successful ongoing groups where evidence can be provided It is crucial that when planning a group application you have the overall pyramid budget in mind The Pyramid Panels are willing to consider requests for group funding where schools/settings wish to consider innovative methods of meeting need, with a view to the efficient use of resources. e.g. where a number of CYP present with similar, needs and these could be met with flexibly deployed co-ordinated support. This would require an appropriate minimum SEND Notional contribution of around 40%, at the discretion of the Pyramid Funding Panel, having considered school context. In rare and exceptional circumstances, when requests for more complex interventions are received, they will need to be triaged to identify the appropriate panel, following an initial request to Pyramid Funding Panel.

Perspective SENDCOs need to ensure they are set up on the system If not set up, the Headteacher can do this Further information is in the guidance document Files must be titled as detailed in the guidance document Files will be placed in appropriate folders before the panel day however you will need to download these before the panel day and delete these after panel day. Application form, SEND Support Plan and EHCP if appropriate

Funding Bands Requests can be made for the following levels of Funding (these are the current amounts): Targeted Plus Level Band 1a = Up to 1000, 1b = Up to 2000, 1c = Up to 3000, 1d = Up to 4000 Specialist Level Band 2a = Up to 5000, 2b = Up to 6000, 2c = Up to 7000, 2d = Up to 8000 Please note that whilst requests are broken down in this way, the panel will determine the nominal amount within these bands which the CYP s needs are aligned to. Additionally, the Pyramid Panels will adjust the funding to be allocated based upon the amount of budget available to the Pyramid.

During the meeting There will be a clear agenda and all aspects will need to be covered by the end of the day. The meeting will be led by an independent chair Funding will be awarded for three terms ordinarily, or for 6 terms for transition. Together SENDCOs will discuss, and quality assure (via a simple rating system and matrix that you can see below blue image) whether the requests are agreed, working with the professionals present. Many of the conversations will be focused on enabling the best method of meeting the needs of individual children or young people. Any agreed actions will be recorded on a record form completed during the meeting. Applications will be rated out of 10 on the following matrix in terms of compliance with the criteria indicated. Each criterion is rated out of 2. For an application to be successful each criterion must score at least one and a minimum of 7 overall

Specialist and outreach support teams It is not mandatory for an outreach service to attend every, therefore, please keep good communication with involved professionals around CYP being discussed so that they can attend if needed. They will be part of the general discussion and able to share valuable knowledge on any CYPs provision who are known to them and/or to support schools with recommendations, sign posting to resources or next steps (depending on the actions for each case). Specialist and outreach support teams will not be decision makers on funding amounts

Model Questions Is this the best use of resources? What have other setting done to support similar need? Is there a more efficient way to do this? Is this a predictable or exceptional level of need? Is this additional to and different from? Is this consistent with levels of funding allocation to other children with similar needs. Schools with similar contexts? Is this plan going to have a positive impact on the child s learning and development, reducing their support needs and improving their inclusion in school?

Example Applications DISCLAIMER- These are not actual children or provision!

SEND FundinE 1 Doncaster Way 2024 EXAMPLE CASE 1: SAMMY

What evidence are we looking for? Applications will be rated out of 10 in terms of compliance with the criteria indicated. Each criterion is rated out of 2: 0=no evidence, 1=some evidence, 2=clear evidence For an allocation of funding to be made each criterion must score at least one with a minimum of 7 overall.

Looking at the application form Brief look over summary page to get context What is the child s age and academic info? Is there evidence of external professional involvement? Are the appropriate teams involved? What are the levels of need across the 4 broad areas? What is the total cost and requested band?

Looking at the application form Look at the levels of need Is there evidence of HQT, reasonable adjustments and differentiation? Is this a predictable or exceptional level of need?

Looking at the application form Look at provision map Are success criteria closely matched to identified needs? Is the provision appropriate? Is this the best use of resource? Does the costing appear as would be expected? Is this additional to and different from? Is this consistent with levels of funding allocation to other children with similar needs. Schools with similar contexts? Is this plan going to have a positive impact on the child s learning and development, reducing their support needs and improving their inclusion in school?

Look at the SEND Support Plan Does this correspond with the level of need identified on the application form? Is the impact of professional involvement clear? Is their evidence that the provision is having a positive impact?

Complete the Record Form

SEND FundinE 1 Doncaster Way 2024 EXAMPLE CASE 2: MIA

Lets have a go Look at the application form and SEND plan and complete the matrix We will come back together in about 10 minutes

Lets complete the Record Form together

After the meeting The support officer will send the agreed funding information to the finance team The support officer will send the agreed funding information to the SENDCO Finance will make payments according agreed dates LA officers will plan any actions directly with the SENDCO via email

Across the academic year.. There will be half termly Emerging Need Panels for: Any new EHCP requests where funding has not been allocated previously Pupils moving into area where they had additional top-up support in their previous Local Authority or have a perceived high level of need identified as Targeted Plus level or above. Significant sudden change of need for those at SEND Support and those with an EHCP e.g. rapid acceleration of a progressive condition or life changing accident/significant medical episode Continuation requests for CYP with EHCP as part of the Annual Review process

Contacts and further information For queries regarding Pyramid Funding Panels please contact: pyramidfundingpanel@doncaster.gov.uk For information regarding funding please visit: Funding and Needs Descriptors Guidance Document Example application forms Needs Descriptors Frequently Asked Questions Terms of Reference