SEN Delegation of Resources from April 2003

CITY OF SALFORD EDUCATION AND LEISURE DIRECTORATE

Consultation on the Delegation of Resources for Additional Needs (AEN) and Special Education Needs (SEN)

Technical Paper

1. Introduction

This paper provides further details of how resource allocations for AEN and SEN would be calculated should the proposals outlined in the Consultation Paper be implemented in full.

2. Available Budget

This paper assumes a distribution of the available budget (2002-03 prices) as follows:

Existing AEN/SEN already delegated£4,209,478

High Incidence Statements£1,374,113

Low incidence statements (Panel Budget)£ 233,664

Contingency (Retained)£ 50,000

Total Budget £5,867,255

For details of the budget retained centrally please see Appendix 1.

1. Calculation of AEN/SEN Formula Allocation

The calculation of the AEN/SEN formula allocation for individual schools is arrived at through a number of steps. This section explains the steps and the weighting of factors in detail.

Step 1

The available budget is £5.583 million (£4.209m currently delegated, plus £1.374m for high incidence statements currently retained centrally). £106,500 is allocated for Children in Public Care and the remainder is split between primary and secondary phases based upon the existing distribution of resources between the two sectors as follows:

Primary Schools£3.651m

Secondary£1.827m

Step 2

A weighting is then attached to each year group in favour of Early Years as follows:

Nursery1.3

Reception 1.2

Yr11.1

Yr21.0

Yr31.2

Yr41.1

Yr51.0

Yr61.0

Yr71.2

Yr81.1

Yr91.0

Yr101.2

Yr111.1

Yr11+1.0

The number of full time equivalent pupils for each year group (based on January PLASC return) is calculated and the available budget apportioned according to weighted pupil numbers for each year group.

Primary Phase

Total (points) with weighting for KS1 phase = 11,490

Total (points) with weighting for KS2 phase = 12,256

Total (points) with weighting for KS1 and KS2 phase = 23,746

Percentage of Primary budget for KS1 phase pupils = 11,490 / 23,746 (48%)

Percentage of Primary budget for KS2 phase pupils = 12,256 / 23,746 (52%)

Secondary Phase

Total (points) with weighting for KS3 phase = 7,977

Total (points) with weighting for KS4 phase = 5,566

Total (points) with weighting for KS3 and KS4 phase = 13,543

Percentage of Secondary budget for KS3 phase pupils = 7,977 / 13,543 (59%)

Percentage of Secondary budget for KS4 phase pupils = 5,566 / 13,543 (41%)

Step 3

The primary phase budget is then split between pupils at Key Stage 1 and below and Key Stage 2. This is to enable different data to be used for the formula calculation for each Key Stage.

Available resources for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1£1.767m

Available resources for Key Stage 2£1.884m

Total Budget available for the Primary Phase£3.651m

The secondary phase budget is then split between pupils at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. This is to enable different data to be used for the formula calculation for each Key Stage.

Available resources for Key Stage 3£1.076m

Available resources for Key Stage 4£0.751m

Total Budget available for the Secondary Phase£1.827m

Step 4

Calculation of individual schools’ allocations for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 is made using the following formula:

• Deprivation factor (using index of multiple deprivation)95%
• Mobility (non-standard admissions) 5%

Calculation of individual schools allocations for Key Stage 2 is made using the following formula: (see models for discussion)

• Deprivation factor (using index of multiple deprivation)15 %
• Mobility (non-standard admissions) 5 %

• Prior Attainment (based on Key Stage 1 SATS80 %

in Maths, English and Science)

For secondary phase schools the total allocation for each school is arrived at using the following formula:

• Deprivation factor (using index of multiple deprivation)20 %

• Prior Attainment (based on Key Stage 2 and 3 SATS80 %

In Maths, English and Science)

Step 5

The total budget allocation for each school is arrived at by adding together the resources identified through the parts of step 4 as appropriate i.e. Primary schools would have allocations derived at from the first two calculations but the infant school would have a budget determined by the first part of the formula only as they have no pupils at Key Stage 2.

4. The factors used in the formula calculations

Postcodes for all children attending each school are collected from the PLASC (Pupil Level Annual School Census) return. The Index of Multiple Deprivation (DETR 2000) gives a ward level deprivation score that is matched to the postcode of each child. In a small number of cases the pupils have a post code outside of Salford and average score based on all Salford pupils has been used. Arrangements are in place to purchase the necessary software to enable the Authority to correctly identify the deprivation score for these pupils.

The deprivation score for each ward is calculated as being 100 divided by the index. The result is then multiplied by the number of pupils in each ward for each school to give an overall score. For those pupils where PLASC does not record a postcode, or where the pupil lives outside the Salford boundary, a notional value has been applied equivalent to the average figure for Salford (20.25).

As the information becomes available, data on enumeration districts could be used.

Prior Attainment

Key Stage 2

Low attainment at Key Stage 1 is used for the formula allocation that resources Key Stage 2. This data is calculated from the Key Stage 1 results of the pupils in each school. In the case of the Infant school the Infant is the feeder to the Junior. The number of pupils who achieve below level 2 in English, Maths and Science are counted.

Key Stage 3

Low attainment at Key Stage 2 is used in the formula allocation that resources secondary phase schools. This data is calculated from the Key Stage 2 results of the Year 7 intake. The number of pupils who achieve below level 4 in English, Maths and Science are counted.

Key Stage 4

As above, low attainment at Key Stage 3 is used for formula allocation and calculation. The number of pupils who achieve below level 5 in English, Maths and Science are counted.

Mobility

For primary phase schools the mobility has been identified by the Inspector/Advisor visits to schools and is calculated as follows:

• Number of new starters less number of leavers for one year group for one academic year only. (Dobson Index)

There is no mobility figure currently available for the secondary phase schools. This will be considered in future years when the data is available.

Modelling of Budgets

Appendix 2 shows indicative budgets for 2005/06, calculated using the above steps on a school-by-school basis.

Information Management Strategy

The ability of the Authority to manage formula allocations such as this is dependent on the availability of accurate data. The National Information Management Strategy points the way forward for schools in terms of statutory requirements and best practice in the area of data management. The Authority is advising and supporting schools in taking necessary action and establishing systems and procedures. A central LEA pupil database has been created which will exchange data regularly with schools’ SIMS databases. This will lead to improved data, including measures of mobility and improved postcode information, which will in turn improve the basis on which this and other formula funding allocations are made.

5. Stability of resource allocations

In order to ensure maximum stability in resource allocations, the factors used for calculating the AEN/SEN formula will be averaged out over a three-year period. In-year budget adjustments will only be made to reflect changes for a small number of pupils with very complex needs who will have individual allocation made to them by the SEN Panel.

As with any changes to funding formula for schools there will be gainers and losers as money is redistributed. It is proposed therefore that transitional arrangements will be introduced over a three-year period based on either of the following options as follows:

These transitional arrangements will also have the added advantage of enabling the Authority to collect three years data for the calculation of the moving average.

6. Top up resources for low incidence (complex need) pupils

A budget of £233,664 will be identified for delegation as cash sums to top up resource allocations for the relatively small group of children and young people with very complex needs who do not benefit from recurrent funding in special schools or resourced provisions. This budget will be managed through the SEN Panel.

Needs

Children who may be considered for exceptional resource arrangements are likely to include those who experience:

• Severe learning disabilities
• Complex autistic spectrum disorders
• Moderate learning difficulties with other complex needs
• Severe and challenging behaviours
• Severe and complex health-related needs and disabilities
• Complex language and communication difficulties

SEN Panel

The SEN Panel will allocate resources according to published resource levels that will assume schools are already making full use of resources delegated to them. Resources already available to schools for each pupil include the Age Weighted Pupil Unit Factor, AEN/SEN formula allocation, Standard Fund Grants and other specific project/ initiative funding.

Referrals and decisions

Referrals for additional resources will be considered in the light of the Criteria for Statutory Assessment and the evidence submitted by schools. Details of the evidence required is included in the Criteria document. Resources will only be allocated for one year and can be allocated for a shorter period of time. A review date will be set, usually the date of the annual review of the statement, and a new request must be submitted for the Panel to determine whether the resources should continue.

Moderation

A sample of allocations and requests will be subject to peer moderation to review evidence to support submissions and appropriate use of resources. Arrangements for this will be published during 2003.

Adjustments to schools’ budget share

Schools will be notified of the Panel decision within fourteen days of the meeting. Schools will be expected to make additional provision available as soon as practically possible after notification. Adjustments to the schools’ budget share will be made at the end of each half-term. Resources will be withdrawn one month after a child leaves a school or immediately on a planned transfer to another phase of education. Schools must notify the LEA immediately that a child in receipt of a top up allocation leaves the school other than at a standard point of transition or on reaching school leaving age. Wherever possible movement between schools/ provision should be planned in advance to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made in the receiving school/provision from the date of admission.

7. Children in Public Care

Schools will receive a payment of £500 for every child in Public Care on roll on the date of the January PLASC return.

8. Contingency

The SEN Panel will also have access to a small contingency of £50,000 to fund exceptional circumstances. These will normally be the result of one of the following:

• The arrival within the Authority of a pupil with complex needs

• When resources are required to implement a decision of the SEN Tribunal

• Where resources are required to implement an outcome of the Disagreement Resolution Service

• When there has been a sudden and dramatic increase in a child’s needs e.g. as the result of a road traffic accident

Resources from the contingency will be allocated for the duration of the financial year only or for a shorter period of time if recommended by the Panel.

Any unallocated contingency or money from the Panel budget will be returned to the formula AEN/SEN budget and delegated the following year. Conversely, any overspend would be carried forward and would become first call on the AEN/SEN formula budget in the following financial year.

9. AWPUF

It is proposed that a sum is identified within the AWPUF allocation equivalent to 1 full time post for 500 pupils to support the costs of SENCO duties. This sum would not be ring-fenced and would not affect the amount of AWPUF allocated to the school. Appendix 3 gives details of what this would mean for each school.