Few things are more rewarding than helping children with SEND make the most of their unique skills and abilities; you’re changing lives for the better.

But this is often a long, difficult road for many SENCOS, pupils and families.

Success often hinges on securing and maximising available funding so you can implement your strategies. But where do you start – and what can you do to make the best of the money you get?

Let’s begin by clearly defining the main sources of SEND funding for mainstream schools before looking at some strategies and tools that will make all the difference.

Understanding SEND funding for schools

The SEND funding system in the UK is multifaceted. At its core are three main “Elements”:

Element 1:

This is the core funding every school receives based on the number of pupils. This covers the basic costs of education, ensuring schools have the necessary resources to operate efficiently.

Element 2:

This funding is additional to Element 1 and is allocated based on specific indicators such as age-weighted pupil units, the level of deprivation in the school's area, pupil premium numbers, and census data on SEND support figures. This element is designed to address the additional needs of pupils that go beyond standard provision. Schools must carefully document and justify using this funding to ensure compliance and to guarantee every pound is spent wisely.

Element 3:

Known as “top-up funding”, this is provided by local authorities to cover the costs of supporting pupils with higher needs that exceed the purpose of Elements 1 and 2. Schools must demonstrate that they have effectively exhausted Elements 1 and 2 funding to access this money. This process often involves detailed paperwork and evidence of interventions, so meticulous record-keeping plays an important part.

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5 practical strategies for maximising SEND funding

1)     Ensure early assessment and identification

An early and accurate assessment of pupils' needs is crucial. It prepares a school for vital SEND funding applications and, as we’ve seen in our guide, late interventions put well-being at stake.

Needless to say, assessing pupils is a major undertaking, but there are ways to make this process simpler.

Tools like the PAGS (Profile Assessment and Goal Setting) platform can be instrumental. PAGS helps educators identify pupil needs early and plan accordingly. It also sets the groundwork for a more targeted approach to funding applications and resource allocation.

2)     Leverage Local Authority resources

It’s important to be aware that the three Elements are just part of the SEND funding picture you must be aware of. Different local authorities have bespoke pre-statutory funding streams, Hillingdon's SENDEX being just one example.

Schools should explore these avenues and maintain consistent communication with councils to ensure they are making full use of such resources.

3)     Put together collaborative, evidence-based applications for higher needs funding

When applying for SEND funding, especially Element 3, it is essential to provide robust evidence of how Elements 1 and 2 have been used. Detailed records of interventions, progress, and outcomes are key.

Again, this is where software helps. For example, PAGS can help streamline this process by storing all assessment data, intervention plans, and progress reports in one place, making it easier to demonstrate why you need additional funding.

Furthermore, the effective use of data not only strengthens SEND funding applications but also helps track how effective your interventions are.

4)     Think about how you might use resources differently

It’s worth considering if your school should bring pupils with similar needs together for specialised support. It’s possible that, in doing so, you can make better use of the resources you have.

Grouping pupils by need rather than age and assigning dedicated staff can be more cost-effective than providing one-to-one support for each pupil. In doing so, schools can explore cooperative learning models, peer tutoring, and shared resources to enhance learning outcomes while managing costs.

5)     Make the most of parent and carer engagement

Engage parents early and consistently. Clear communication about the school's strategies and how SEND funding is being utilised can develop a supportive community. Parents and carers are more likely to be cooperative and supportive (including when you’re putting together funding applications) if they understand the benefits of what you are doing – and trying to achieve – for their children.

PAGS: your catalyst for SEND success

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How PAGS can help

PAGS is a comprehensive tool designed to support SEND management effectively. It focuses on:

• Assessment: Conducting thorough assessments across various domains, such as cognition, learning, communication, and social interaction, to identify specific needs.
• Planning: Setting targets and strategies tailored to each pupil's needs, ensuring that interventions are appropriate and effective.
• Reporting: Generating detailed reports that track progress and outcomes, which are crucial for funding applications.
• Efficiency: Streamlining the administrative workload, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and less on paperwork.

By integrating tools like PAGS into their processes, schools can ensure that they are not only meeting the immediate needs of their pupils but also laying the groundwork for sustained support and development. The use of such tools can also facilitate better communication with local authorities, providing clear and comprehensive evidence to support funding requests.

Find out more – watch the webinar

This article includes insights shared by Tia Sohi, Sector Led Improvement Partner and former SENCO, and Stephen Close, Product Director, PAGS.

Both appear in our on-demand webinar, The SEND crisis: maximise funding for your school. There, they cover:

• What’s driving the SEND crisis
• What funding is available and how to apply for it
• How PAGS helps support EHCP applications and high-needs funding

Click here to get started.

Feliciea Jibson is the founder and CEO of PAGS, an award-winning digital profiling, assessment and goal-setting tool for schools, educators, parents and caregivers of learners with Special Educational Needs. PAGS helps educators better understand the capabilities and learning gaps of their learners.