Transfer to High Needs Block 2024/25

Between 2017 and 2022, the Sheffield Schools Forum approved a transfer of £1.5m each year from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to support inclusion and increase access to local mainstream schools, by reducing both the number of permanent exclusions and escalations to special schools.

This funding was mainstreamed for 2022/23 and funded from the High Needs Block as of April 2022. Due to pressure on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) because of rising demand, it was agreed last year to transfer £1.5m from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to support mainstream schools with inclusion.

Locality Grant funding for Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is partially delegated to the seven localities to support learners in mainstream education. The funding is in addition to the basic entitlement and notional SEN available in a school’s existing budget.

SEND Locality Grants ensure that provision is in place for children with high needs SEND. They enable children to access a mainstream education in their community and are ensure that schools continue to develop inclusive practice as a part of their wider school ethos; this intention is in line with the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and Sheffield’s vision for inclusive mainstream schools.

We are proposing the £1.5m transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block in 2024/25 on the basis that this will increase the ability of mainstream schools to meet the needs of a growing population of children with SEND effectively and reduce the need for transfers to special schools.

The increased funding will be used to:

• Ensure that provision is in place for children with Education, Health, and Care Plans, in line with our statutory duties. 
• Fund provision in localities to meet the needs of children with SEND.

We are proposing to continue the transfer of £1.5m from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block to be used as an increase of funds into the locality SEND funded model.