The perception is incorrect as the number of EHCPs are in fact increasing and are all funded.
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Does the £3 million in fact only reduce the ongoing deficit? What is the 3-year plan? Is the deficit not just set to continue to grow?
Continue to work on the areas explained within the consultation document, also supporting early identification and solutions. Timeliness is key in reducing anxiety and step escalation. Looking at what we can control Special school places Independent brokerage / contracting Earlier identification
Will you take further funding from Schools for High Needs next year?
The 0.5% requested for 2019-20 will go back into the Schools Block for 2020-21. It is only allowed to be transferred for one year. Any further need will have to come back to schools and schools forum through consultation for 2020-21 funding
If some savings are yet to be confirmed, will more money be taken from the Schools Block if these savings aren’t as high as expected.
The current funding pressures do not account for the additional savings identified. Therefore, if they are realised they will reduce the overall pressures on the High Needs Block not increase them.
What are the sources of funding for SEN provision? Is it purely from the DSG?
Yes, the only source of funding is DSG into the High Need Block. There is also AEN within the school funding.
Will you take further funding from Schools for High Needs next year?
The 0.5% requested for 2019-20 will go back into the Schools Block for 2020-21. It is only allowed to be transferred for one year. Any further need will have to come back to schools and schools forum through consultation for 2020-21 funding.
Has the Local Authority modelled a stepped Minimum Funding Level? Primary £3,300 to £3,400 and Secondary £4.600 to £4,700?
Yes, to afford the Minimum Funding Level which benefits 53 schools, can only be implemented by applying a negative Minimum Funding Guarantee, which results in up to 300 schools having a reduction in funding to enable 53 schools to gain funding.
Why are we (Devon) not lobbying government to put limitations of cost of provision in the independent sector to make their costs more in line with funding available. This happens within the care of the elderly in nursing homes.
Devon, as members of the f40 and through direct lobbying of our local MPs raises this concern and continued pressure at every opportunity at regional or national level, as well as with the Department.
Was the decision to increase the Growth Fund budget by £1m made solely so that it could be then released to partly fund the 0.5% without seeming to come from schools’ budgets?
Absolutely not. The £1m was agreed at DEF as part of the 2017-18 year end discussions in March this year to accommodate the potential growth across growing schools within Devon. As part of the Funding Consultation process we agreed that in light of the possible additional funding through the new formulaic approach of the DfE Continue reading →
What has happened with the £33pp reduction which was introduced 2 years ago and was supposed to be put back into the AWPU after 2 years.
The £33 per pupil moved from the Schools Block to High Needs Block in 2017/18 – the year prior to the implementation of the National Funding Formula (NFF). The authority had a 2-year plan to bring the High Needs Block back into a balanced budget. There was never an intention to revert this funding after Continue reading →