Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

(1)  To inform the Cabinet Member for Education of the work that has been undertaken to revise the banding descriptors and the associated financial values (Element 3 Top-up funding) for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) attending both maintained and Academy Special Schools in the City.

(2)  To seek approval to implement the new banding descriptors and associated financial values for pupils starting school in September 2017 and for pupils who are reassessed as part of the Annual review process.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member:

a.  Approves the introduction of the new banding descriptors for new pupils as set out in Appendix 1 from the start of the new academic year in September 2017

b.  Approves the Element 3 Top-up funding rates allocated to the new banding descriptors as set out in Appendix 2 from the start of the new academic year in September 2017 and for the financial year 2018-19.

c.  Approves the Element 3 top-up rates for 2018-19 as set out in Appendix 3 for those pupils continuing at the Special Schools and funded via the current A to H banding framework.

d.  Note that the financial impact of the proposed changes will continue to be monitored both centrally and at a school level; and that both Redwood Park and Willows school funding will be reviewed in Summer 2018 due to the changing complexities of the children in these schools.

The report was introduced by Julia Katherine, Head of Inclusion.  She explained that the current system has been in place for some time, the banding descriptors are out of date and model is overly complicated with 8 funding bands for each school (9 for Mary Rose and The Harbour School).  Under the new model the number of bands would be reduced to 3 (4 bands for Mary Rose and The Harbour School).  There would be gradual implementation of the new model to provide greater predictability for schools in managing their budgets. This paper will be taken to the Schools Forum next week for endorsement.   In response to a question Julia said that all local authorities have their own version of the banded funding model for special schools in place. 

Richard Webb added that officers will continue to monitor the financial implications of these changes through the budget monitoring processes, as highlighted within the report. 

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member

(1)   Approved the introduction of the new banding descriptors for new pupils as set out in Appendix 1 from the start of the new academic year in September 2017

(2)  Approved the Element 3 Top-up funding rates allocated to the new banding descriptors as set out in Appendix 2 from the start of the new academic year in September 2017 and for the financial year 2018-19.

(3)  Approved the Element 3 top-up rates for 2018-19 as set out in Appendix 3 for those pupils continuing at the Special Schools and funded via the current A to H banding framework.

(4)  Noted that the financial impact of the proposed changes will continue to be monitored both centrally and at a school level; and that both Redwood Park and Willows school funding will be reviewed in Summer 2018 due to the changing complexities of the children in these schools.