High Needs Top Up funding (sometimes called Element 3 funding) is for pupils with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
It is determined by the EHCP Multi Agency Panel supported by a banding descriptors grid. Funding is allocated in line with 10 funding bands agreed by the Southend Education Board in June 2021.
The banding descriptors grid should be used when:
- an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment has taken place and;
- it has been agreed to issue an EHCP
The grid supports the Panel to determine the level of top up funding to be allocated, recognising the setting the child or young person is placed in. Recognising the uniqueness of every child, the ultimate decision rests with the Panel but the banding descriptors grid has been designed to mirror the decisions taken by the panel over a period of time.
Using the banding descriptors
5 levels are identified for each of the Department for Education (DfE) categories of need listed in the SEN Code of Practice. Each level describes a range of needs that may be prevalent in a child or young person.
Levels are categorised from 0 to 4:
- level 0 describes how a typically developing child with universal needs would typically present
- level 1 describes how a child with additional educational needs, usually but not exclusively, met at SEN Support with an Individual Support Plan might present
- levels 2 to 4 describe how a child with special educational needs may present with increasing severity with level 4 being the most severe within that category of need
When banding a child or young person a description of their needs should be mapped to the grid using a best fit methodology. Where multiple descriptors are listed in a particular level, the level that best describes the child or young person should be selected.
Each level on the banding descriptors grid is weighted to reflect the level of resourcing needed at each level. Once all levels are determined a spreadsheet will suggest an overall band. The setting in which the pupil is placed will affect the band proposed, because the Education Board agreed some nuances to ensure special school funding was in line with current agreements. This amount is the top up (element 3) funding and not element 1 and 2 funding. Element 1 and 2 funding remains the schools responsibility for funding from their delegated budget.
The band generated by the grid can be overwritten by the EHC Multi Agency Panel where the panel acknowledge the individual circumstances relating to the placement. Where this option is used the reason should be recorded and this intelligence will be used to refine the banding descriptors grid if needed.
If it is felt that the allocation of the highest band (Band 10) is not sufficient top up funding to meet need, an additional amount can be considered with additional evidence and approval.