High Needs Block Funding for Special Educational Needs 2015 - 2019 - Find a freedom of information request

1. What has been the total cost of Special Educational Needs (SEN) education support that has been funded by the High Needs Block (for the financial years 2015-2019 inclusive)?

2. What has been the total amount of additional funding transferred in to support the High Needs Block (for the financial years 2015-2019)?

3. How many SEN officers/caseworkers are currently employed in your SEN team? Please also provide the average [mean] staffing numbers for the financial years (1 April - 31 March) 2014- 2015, and 2017-2019 inclusive.

4. What was the mean number of cases annually assigned to each SEN caseworker for the years above?

1.

2. 

*Prior to the national funding formula changes, the High Needs block had been determined by historical funding and was only classified as a National block. The Local Authority (LA) in its management considered the entire Dedicated Schools Grant when determining affordability (Schools, Early Years, and High Needs). The Department for Education (DfE) responded to the historical approach of High Needs funding by undertaking a number of baseline activities to accurately state the budget in line with current spending levels, since they were adrift of
each other. Schools funding levels have been maintained in this period.

In 2016/2017 due to the historic nature of funding, pressures were financed from other funding blocks (noting the comment above). Of the transferred amount £1.3m related to creation a newly commissioned Behaviour Outreach Support Service funded by schools.

In 2017/2018 funding was transferred into the High Needs Block following the end of some historic commitments from other funding blocks including available monies supported by the Schools Forum.

3. 

• 2014/15: 20
• 2015/16: 20
• 2016/17: 20
• 2017/18: 20
• 2018/19: 20

As per the FOI request the numbers provided are for Special Educational Needs (SEN) Caseworkers employed by the LA within our Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Team. At times the SEND Team have employed agency workers to support with key pieces of work, such SEND Keyworkers to support with the completion of Annual Reviews, however these workers have not held caseloads and so are not included in the figures provided. The team also has other roles that support the SEND work, such as Assistant Caseworker, but again these support with aspects of work, such as the administration elements, and do not hold caseloads.

4. 

• 2014/15: 154
• 2015/16: 164
• 2016/17: 166
• 2017/18: 196
• 2018/19: 228