SEND and Inclusion Change Programme – SEND Top-up Funding Trial Update

 The SEND Top-up Funding Trial which launched in January 2022 is piloting two systems to make the process of applying for top-up funding simpler and more transparent.  

23 schools and settings are participating in the trial, testing a Provision Calculator (matrix) and a new Costed IEP. The aim is to identify a fair and accessible system which ensures that funding is allocated fairly and at the right time. In addition, it is hoped that the trial will identify a system which can be used across all Early Years settings, mainstream schools, maintained specialist settings and Post 16 settings. 

Feedback to date has been positive, with SENDCos finding the Provision Calculator  particularly straightforward to complete and much quicker than the existing systems used in mainstream settings. 

Warwickshire County Council is currently collating data to ensure that any potential changes are beneficial and sustainable and hope to share outcomes in the coming months.