Where high needs funding is due to cease at the end of the academic year for pupil(s) remaining at the same setting, a simplified process is in place to consider a continuation of the funding.
This only applies where pupils are remaining within the same setting.
Continuation of funding process
A Continuation of Funding form has been introduced, to consider effectiveness and impact of funding, and how continued funding will further improve outcomes.
Where pupils funding is due to cease at the end of the academic year, the High Needs Business Support team will email settings via Egress Secure to provide the continuation application form for affected pupils, along with a copy of their original High Needs Funding application form/s. This exercise will be carried out by the end of May, to allow sufficient time for continuation applications to be completed and returned to ensure continuation of funding where agreed.
Forms will need to be completed by an appropriate professional (Head teacher/Class Teacher/SENCO). An up to date provision map extract for the child/young person should also be submitted at the same time.
Form/s and provision map extract/s should be emailed to the High Needs Business Support Team by way of reply to the Egress Secure email. Both the form and provision map should be added as attachments, in order to keep the information within the secure system.
Where continuation applications are received into the high needs funding email address highneedsfunding@northamptonshire.gov.uk on or before the first panel date of the new academic year, and panel agree that the child/young person still meets criteria, then funding will be continuous, ie any break in funding will be rectified.
Where continuation applications are received after the first panel date of the new academic year, should the pupil meet criteria, then funding will re-commence from the date the continuation application was received into highneedsfunding@northamptonshire.gov.uk.
Where funding review dates are at other points in the year, funding will cease at that date. Settings will need to request continuation application forms by email to highneedsfunding@northamptonshire.gov.uk. The form will be provided, along with a copy of the original High Needs Funding application form. Expectation is that continuation of funding applications will be completed and submitted, with provision map extract, prior to the funding end date, to ensure, where appropriate, the continuation of funding.
Funding levels will be reviewed where continuation of funding applications continue to meet the criteria for funding.
For any further queries please contact the High Needs team: highneedsfunding@northamptonshire.gov.uk or call on 01604 363636
What happens when pupils move to another setting?
Where pupils move to another setting within the same phase, funding will commence at the new setting without the need for re-application.
The original funding decision review date/end date will apply at the new setting and at that point a re-application to panel may be appropriate. In such cases the new setting will be required to make a full application to panel.
High Needs Panel funding decisions may state that a review of funding is required e.g. mid Primary Key Stage. In such cases funding usually ceases at the end of the academic year. This can mean that, for some schools with a number of pupils remaining in the same setting, funding will end for several pupils on the same date ie 31 August.