How much funding a school or education setting gets for SEN support and how that funding is provided depends on the type of school.
Mainstream schools
Mainstream schools are funded based on how many pupils they have. This is called 'element 1' funding.
They get extra funding for pupils with additional needs. This is called 'element 2' funding.
The school can apply to the Early Intervention Fund for pupils with emerging and low level needs.
Special schools and educational settings
Special schools aren't funded in the same way as mainstream schools. Instead, they get £10,000 for each place that the council needs.
GOV.UK has more information on high needs funding arrangements for 2022 to 2025.
In addition to this, the Government has awarded a capital grant to invest in the size and quality of special school buildings. The default SEND Grant Provision Plan (109 KB) demonstrates how funds have been allocated in a capital plan.
Schools use their SEN funding to pay for things like:
- specialist resources and equipment, including simple auxiliary aids, such as a pen grip to additional specialist software that supports spelling
- small group learning support
- extra support in the classroom
- employing additional specialist support staff
- professional advice, for example from educational psychologists or speech and language therapists
Find out how a school uses their SEN funding
You can ask your child's school:
- how it uses its SEN budget to support your child
- whether it has enough to make all the provision they need
The SEN Information Report on the school's website has information about the school's arrangements for SEN support and how to contact the SENCO.
You can find a school's website on the GOV.UK Schools finder.
Most children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities will have their needs met by the usual resources available in mainstream early years settings, schools, colleges, or health services.
An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs.
It’s a detailed exploration to find out what your child's special educational needs are and what provision needs be put in place to meet them.
The EHC needs assessment is the step before an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
The assessment does not always lead to an EHCP being written
Find out more on What is an EHC needs assessment.
