Inclusion Funding

Inclusion Funding gives schools extra money to help support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The funding helps schools provide additional support for children with higher levels of need, without the need for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The aim is to help children get the right support as early as possible so that they can make progress and take part in school life.

Children and young people with an EHCP cannot receive Inclusion Funding.

What Inclusion Funding is for

Inclusion Funding helps schools to:

• Support children with SEND in mainstream schools.
• Identify and meet children's needs early.
• Provide extra support when a child's needs are becoming more complex.
• Improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Work closely with families and professionals to plan support.

Who can receive Inclusion Funding

Your child may be able to receive Inclusion Funding if:

• They attend a mainstream school in Cheshire East.
• They do not have an EHCP.
• The school has already put SEND support in place and reviewed how well it is working.
• The school has already used its usual SEND funding to support your child.
• The school can explain how additional funding will help meet your child's needs.

How a school applies for Inclusion funding

1. The school talks to you about your child's needs and asks for your consent.
2. The school submits an application for Inclusion Funding.
3. The Inclusion Funding Panel reviews the application.
4. If more information is needed, the application may be returned to the school.
5. The school is usually told the decision within 10 working days of the panel meeting.

The panel meets every week during term time.

Information the school needs to provide

The school must show:

• What support has already been provided for your child.
• Advice and recommendations from relevant professionals, where available.
• How the school's own SEND funding has been used.
• Evidence of your child's progress and needs.
• Your views and your child's views.
• A detailed plan showing the support already in place and any additional support being requested.

How parents and children are involved

Parents and carers are an important part of the process.

The school must:

• Discuss the application with you.
• Obtain your consent before applying.
• Include your views in the application.
• Include your child's views wherever possible.

You should be kept informed about any decisions and planned support.

What happens if funding is agreed

If funding is approved:

• The school will receive additional funding to help meet your child's needs.
• The funding is usually awarded for one year.
• The school is responsible for putting the agreed support in place.
• The school must regularly review how well the support is working.

After a review, funding may:

• Continue.
• Increase.
• Decrease.
• End if it is no longer needed.

Funding will end if your child receives an EHCP.

How inclusion funding is reviewed

Before the funding ends, the school must provide:

• Information about your child's progress.
• Evidence showing how the support has helped.
• Updated plans for support.
• Your views and your child's views.
• A request for continued funding, if needed.

The panel will review this information before making a decision about future funding.

What this means for parents and carers

Inclusion Funding can help schools provide extra support for children with SEND before an EHCP is needed.

1. If you think your child may need additional support, speak to your child's school SENDCo or class teacher. They can explain what support is already in place and whether Inclusion Funding may be appropriate.

When an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment should be considered

Inclusion Funding is part of SEN Support. It does not replace the process for requesting an EHC Needs Assessment.

An EHC Needs Assessment may be considered if there is evidence that your child's needs cannot be met through the support normally available in school, even with additional SEND support.

The decision should be based on your child's needs and the support they require, rather than a diagnosis, attainment levels, or the resources available in school.

If you would like to discuss whether an EHC Needs Assessment may be appropriate, speak to your child's school or contact the Cheshire East SEND Team.