SEN School Funding Consultation

This consultation is designed to seek views from schools on changes to funding arrangements for children with SEN in Kent schools. The changes are designed to promote inclusive practice and incentivise a culture of local collective responsibility whereby children with SEN can be provided for and welcomed locally. Following a key decision in August 2024 to proceed with the Localities model for mainstream schools, a review of SRP provision countywide and a review of Special Schools across the county, KCC is launching this consultation for the following reasons:

  • There is a need to move to a financially sustainable model to ensure that KCC can continue to provide a good quality education for all children with SEN
  • There is a need to move from four different funding models to one model which encompasses the whole system for state funded mainstream schools, state funded mainstream schools with SRPs and state funded special schools
  • There is a need to give schools time to understand the model and the implications for their current provision and for future provision
  • There is a need to bring equity to the principles of how KCC funds schools and to move away from the current individual ‘claims based’ system which is dependent on ‘need type’, diagnosis and relies on individual officer decisions

The consultation is designed to seek the views of schools on the following points:

  • The principles of a single funding system for the future
  • The formula for how KCC will calculate the funding for the Communities of Schools in order to implement the Localities model for mainstream schools
  • How funding is used to meet the needs of children who have the most complex needs in special schools, SRPs and mainstream schools
  • How to support schools to transition from one model to another

To support schools to engage in the consultation and make an informed response, the following documents are also available as appendices:

  • FAQ document which was collected during the Communities of Schools socialisation events in September 2024.
  • A PDF document which models the proposed funding for each community of schools over the next three years.
  • A draft of funding descriptors which KCC is proposing is used to assess the funding needs of children with the most complex needs.

A series of face to face and virtual events are planned to allow schools the opportunity to discuss the proposals. The details are:

Face to Face Schools SEN Funding Consultation Engagement Meetings:

  • WEST- Tuesday 26th November 10am – 11.30am (Mercure Tunbridge Wells ) –Registry Link
  • NORTH – Tuesday 26th November 2pm – 3.30pm (Claire Tiltman Centre, Greenhithe) –Registry Link
  • EAST - Wednesday 27th November 2pm – 3.30pm (Canterbury Academy, PLCC) – Registry Link
  • SOUTH – Friday 29th November 2pm – 3.30pm (Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Ashford) – Registry Link

Virtual Schools SEN Funding Consultation Engagement Meeting:

  • Headteacher Webinar – Friday 22nd November 08:30 – 10:00
  • SENCO Webinar – Wednesday 27th November 08:30-10:00
  • Headteacher Webinar – Thursday 28th November 15:00 – 16:30
  • SENCO Webinar – Monday 2nd December 15:00 – 16:30

Additional virtual engagement session:

  • Governor Webinar - Tuesday 3rd December 18:00 - 19:30

SEN Funding Consultation Supporting Documents:

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