REVISED METHOD OF FUNDING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR PUPILS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

1. The Executive Member for Education has given approval for the implementation of a revised SEN funding formula for mainstream schools with effect from the financial year 2006/07. The new formula will redistribute the money currently delegated to mainstream schools through the SEN audit but without the need for schools to submit detailed evidence. A key principle of the revised process is an emphasis on the SEN allocation as a whole school resource, based on a pupil and school profile of need. Schools will be able to use flexibility to meet the identified needs of pupils in line with their agreed priorities for intervention.

2. The existing SEN audit system of funding was introduced in Hampshire in 1994, initially covering primary schools and extended to secondary schools in 1996. Whilst the system has served children in school well there were concerns about its workload, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Following research and development work involving the Information Research Unit and working groups of both primary and secondary school representatives, a move to a system which makes use of already available data was proposed. The revised system seeks to relieve schools of a significant administrative workload and enable them to concentrate on identifying, assessing and meeting children's needs. A full consultation was initiated in February 2005 and completed in June 2005. The results of this gave an 80% preference for the revised data based system as opposed to retention of the existing SEN audit. The Children's Services Policy Review Committee has considered this and support the revised method of funding.

3. The above decision supports aims 1 and 6 of the Corporate Strategy.