Issue - meetings

The report provides an update on:

-        The Exceptional Circumstances Funding for 2025/26.

-        The resolution of previously unpaid funding from Autumn 2023 to Spring 2025.

A revised criteria and funding model is now in place for 2025-26 that will be reviewed after 2 months to determine future frequency of calculation moving forwards.

Previously unpaid funding amounts have now been paid to all eligible schools on 30.05.25.

The SEND and Inclusion consultant presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provides an update on:

-        The Exceptional Circumstances Funding for 2025/26.

-        The resolution of previously unpaid funding from Autumn 2023 to Spring 2025.

A revised criteria and funding model was now in place for 2025-26 that will be reviewed after 2 months to determine future frequency of calculation moving forwards. Previously unpaid funding amounts had now been paid to all eligible schools.

The Chair read out a query received prior to the meeting for the benefit of all members. Concerns were raised that the payments recorded as having been made were, in fact, inaccurate. She highlighted that the agreed policy—confirmed in April 2023 and again in November 2023—had not been followed. This policy included a 3% threshold, a payment of £650 per year (pro-rated by term), and the inclusion of EHCPs that were outside the 20-week statutory window. It was also noted that delays in EHCP processing had unfairly impacted census data, and that these late plans were supposed to be included in the funding calculations.

This oversight was acknowledged, and it was confirmed that the local authority would honour the previously agreed policy. The data team had been tasked with recalculating the payments to include the delayed EHCPs, and the Forum was assured that this work would be completed by the end of the academic year, with additional payments issued by the end of July 2025. Schools would receive supplementary payments to reflect the correct amounts. The complexity of the situation was acknowledged and the officers response to this issue was appreciated and this would be reported to head teachers.

The new funding formula that would take effect from April 2025, covering the 2025–26 financial year was outlined. The first set of data for this model would be available at the end of July 2025, and eligible schools would be informed and paid accordingly. The new model would no longer include EHCPs outside the 20-week window. A review would be conducted after the first year of implementation.

It was asked whether a written policy document would be produced to formalise these arrangements. It was confirmed that the intention was to develop a comprehensive financial policy covering all funding elements.

It was asked whether the new formula would include post-16 pupils. It was explained that the data was sourced from the census and but the ages included in this would need to be clarified. It was agreed that a response to this would be sourced and provided to all Forum members. It was suggested that including post-16 pupils could skew the percentages, especially for settings without post-16 provision, and suggested that projections might be needed to assess the impact. It was agreed that this would be followed up on.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and that response to the issues raised above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6