EHCP banded funding update
The Banded Funding project has been commissioned to design and deliver a universal banded funding system for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to replace the current Resource Allocation System (RAS) and the existing Special School banding framework.
The system aims to support the delivery of tailored, child-focussed support, facilitate more creativity and flexibility and, in turn, equip children/young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to reach their full potential.
For each category of special educational need (Social, Emotional Mental Health; Cognition ad Learning; Communication and Interaction; Sensory and Physical) a set of descriptors ranging from bands 1 to 6 have been developed which denote the increasing needs of children/young people. These descriptors provide detailed guidance as to relevant SEN that a child/young person may display, and the recommended level of provision required to meet these needs. The descriptors were coproduced with support from partners across education, health and the Gloucestershire PCF.
From March to July 2022, the Banded Funding project team worked with 10 maintained special schools/academies[1], 4 mainstream primary schools/academies[2] and 5 mainstream secondary schools/academies[3]. across Gloucestershire to: test the validity, usability of the descriptors; collate costs of provision to inform the funding model; and capture feedback to inform further development.
In January 2023 Gloucestershire Schools Forum members will review the proposed funding model for the initiative. We plan for the new framework to be implemented from the new financial year in April 2023 for all newly issued EHCPs, as well as special school pupils. With regards to pupils attending mainstream settings, we plan to consult further with all of the pilot mainstream schools and the Parent Carer Forum with regards to the migration process for EHCP pupils who were banded as part of the pilot phase, as well as planning for the implementation of the new framework for all mainstream pupils.
If you have any queries regarding the banded funding model or banding descriptors, please contact the team at bandingworkstream@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
References
[1] Maintained Special Schools: Alderman Knight School, Battledown Centre for Children & Families, Belmont School, Bettridge School, Heart of the Forest School, Milestone School, Paternoster School, The Peak Academy, The Ridge Academy, The Shrubberies School
[2] Mainstream Primary Schools: Charlton Kings Primary and Junior Schools, Churchdown Parton Manor Primary and Junior Schools, Gloucester Road Primary School, Kingsholm C of E Primary School
[3] Mainstream Secondary: The Dean Academy, Henley Bank High School, Maidenhill School, Pittville School, Rednock School