Advice for SENCO email - working on "6k budget"

[Tikeahulilly]

I would like to get the correct terminology for an email to my son's mainstream school with regard to support.

This is outside the needs assessment ehcp process

This is what can be done right now as we wait for these to come through

From my research (google)
Government guidance says school should provide up to the first £6,000 (on top of the AWPU) of additional or different support for those children who need it, including those with an Education, Health and Care plan (or a statement of Special Educational Need)

Also I noted the school doesnt need to allocate this to each child and the actual budget can be formulaic so the school won't get 6k x number of SENpupils

Discussion with senco
The senco says there is no 6k to allocate to my child and their needs do not mean they are first on any list for enhanced support

Private assessment
My private SLT And OT verbal follow ups (await reports) deem his needs to be highly complex, not obvious and need addressed ASAP

Problem / ask for help
So the initial solutions proposed to make "reasonable adjustments" to help him will require money.

I know from his current plan the money is not being spent on him

Hence I need wording to get this accross clearly and concisely in an email with no room for interpretation and one that demands a clear reply.

Any guidance appreciated

Firstly, the notional SEN budget is rarely actually £6k. And it isn’t as simple as for every child with SEN they get X amount as part of the notional SEN budget. How the notional SEN budget is far more complex than that.

Secondly, focus on the support rather than funding. The school must make reasonable adjustments as per the Equality Act. They must also make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN as per the Children and Families Act 2014.

If the school requires more funding to meet DS’s SEN, have they applied for high needs top up funding?

Have you requested an EHCNA? If not, you should do that.

Thanks

Yes to EHNA this is going through or at least kicked off

Thanks for the 2014 act reference and the top up.

Will read up and refrence this.

Where are you in the EHCNA process? What week are you on and is the LA sticking to the timescales?

Haha week 1 as we made it just before half term - hence I said kicked off..

Should have ot and slt reports and then an autism diagnosis and plenty of evidence

Whatever reason thougb the senco just seemed to think "thi gs have escalated this week" when we spoke b4 half term and then wittered in about 6k evidence and 2 terms pdr

I was able to push back on that having read this is not law and also he has been on their senco list since y1 and now y3

very frustrating on that front also

Hence need to project manage school and LA for the ecna

We are kingston la

Sadly, it isn’t uncommon for LAs and schools to perpetuate myths such as the school needing to have spent £6k and/or 2+ APDR cycles first. Ignore! Focus on the actual legal test set out in section 36(8) of the Children and Families Act 2014.

You have to get an EHCP asap with support you need specified in appropriate sections eg dedicated 1:1 support from a PA or dedicated SALT sessions 6 times per term or same for OT. You wont get Top Up unless need is written into EHCP and exceeds the 6000 and is not universal for therapies etc. Peopl3 with too up have to evidence high needs.

Schools can receive high needs top up funding without an EHCP.

With an EHCP, the LA is responsible for the provision in F and that includes ensuring there is sufficient funding. EHCPs can be fully funded, but LAs won’t do this unless forced.

Thanks for all the replies.

Appreciate your time.

I'll sort the email out tonight ready for Monday morning and get an appointment ASAP.

Can't hurt to ask about the top up if only to have the documented reply of No

If I'm honest I'm almost expecting a no to a and doing this to get the email3d reply rather than the verbal one.

Thanks for all the replies.

Appreciate your time.

I'll sort the email out tonight ready for Monday morning and get an appointment ASAP.

Can't hurt to ask about the top up if only to have the documented reply of No

If I'm honest I'm almost expecting a no to a and doing this to get the email3d reply rather than the verbal one.