Funding and provision for children with additional needs - Short summary

Summary

Somerset Council is launching a public consultation on September 9th to improve funding and provision for children with additional needs. The initiative aims to create a better and stronger system by equitably funding children based on their Education, Health, and Care Plans, regardless of school type. The consultation seeks views on phased funding, quicker access to support, and clear compliance expectations to prevent exclusions. The goal is to build an inclusive, supportive education environment that ensures all children succeed. Public feedback is crucial to refining these proposals for a fairer system.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Somerset Council is launching a public consultation on improving funding and provisions for children with additional needs, starting on September 9th.
• 💬 The goal is to gather feedback to develop a better, stronger system that supports children with vulnerabilities in all schools.
• 🏫 Parents desire success for their children in mainstream schools, but the council acknowledges that this isn't always working for some students.
• 📉 When school placements fail, it can lead to serious consequences like exclusions, school non-attendance, or family stress.
• 💡 The proposal includes creating an equivalent funding system where children are funded based on their education plans, not on whether they attend a special or mainstream school.
• 💷 Implementing universal funding will cost £1.3 million, and the plan is to phase it in over time due to budget constraints.
• 🔄 A phased funding rollout will prioritize children with costed plans, new education plans, or those transitioning between education stages.
• 🧑‍🏫 Specific services like speech therapy, vision impairment support, and flexible education are part of the new system and will receive dedicated funding.
• 🤝 The consultation seeks to make the existing support system clearer and better coordinated for students who face challenges in their school environments.
• ⏳ Faster access to emergency funding for schools facing crisis situations is proposed, as well as longer-term financial support to assist children needing intensive interventions.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Somerset Council's public consultation?

The consultation aims to improve the funding system and strengthen provisions for children with additional needs or vulnerabilities in schools across Somerset.

What is the first proposal mentioned in the consultation?

The first proposal is to introduce equivalent funding for children with additional needs, ensuring that funding is based on their education, health, and care plans (EHCP) rather than the type of school they attend.

How does the current banding system for funding work?

The current banding system allocates funding to children with additional needs based on their level of need, but the amount differs significantly between mainstream schools and special schools, with special schools receiving about three times more funding.

Why is the council proposing changes to the banding system?

The council has identified that the current system does not reflect the actual costs outlined in a child's EHCP, leading to inequalities between different types of schools. The proposal seeks to create a more universal and fair funding system.

How will the new funding system be phased in?

The new universal banding system will be introduced in four groups: children with costed plans, children starting new EHCPs, children moving between educational stages, and children receiving specific services delivered outside of school.

What is the purpose of deducting money from higher funding levels for specific services?

The deduction ensures that specialist services, such as speech therapy or teaching for hearing or vision impairments, are funded and delivered effectively for the child.

What issues have parents and school staff raised regarding support for children struggling in school?

They have mentioned that it can be difficult to identify the right support for a child who is struggling in school, leading to delays in getting them the help they need to re-engage positively in the school environment.

What is the focus of the proposed model for supporting struggling children?

The model aims to clarify and strengthen the existing system by providing a clear and well-planned pathway for children, helping them reintegrate into school with the necessary support at various stages.

What are school leaders in Somerset saying about inclusivity?

School leaders have expressed a desire to make education in Somerset inclusive but feel that the current system makes it difficult to achieve this goal due to the lack of clear and fast support.

How does the consultation address the issue of exclusions in schools?

The proposal includes clearer, faster support mechanisms to help prevent exclusions, and if exclusions do occur, there will be clearer compliance expectations and consequences for non-compliance.