Support for pupils with SEN is funded from various sources.
Mainstream schools receive a budget each year to pay for additional support for pupils with SEN, whether they have statements or not. The size of this budget is determined by a formula which measures the general level of SEN at the school. It is the school's responsibility to ensure it meets the needs of its pupils from this budget.
Special schools receive the level of funding they require to meet the needs of the pupils they have on roll. Pupils are assessed against a ‘matrix of need’, to determine the level of funding required to meet their needs.
There are a small number of pupils whose needs cannot be met in a city school, either mainstream or special. In these cases, the local authority will fund a place at a school outside of the city, in a school maintained by another authority or in an independent school.
The local authority also funds support services for schools, such as the Special Needs Teaching Service and the Education Psychology Service. In addition, there is a small budget available for buying specialist equipment.
