Staffordshire’s New AEN Funding System Sandra Swift, Kate Plant, Pat Read SENSS

Staffordshire’s New AEN Funding System The objectives of this session are to introduce: the new funding process to be in place from Sept 2011 the new AEN funding principles the new Criteria for allocating funding and the Cluster Meeting process the roles and responsibilities of Providers details of further training for Chairs of Clusters

The BackgroundBackground AEN Review Group established in September 2009 Remit - consult with relevant groups, develop a model for AEN funding to replace the existing arrangements and to enable providers and settings to meet the needs of pupils Group composition Outcome - funding and decision making around allocation of funding into the hands of providers.

Outcomes More local solutions C&LP ‘Clusters’ CLPs Jan 2011.xls CLPs Jan 2011.xls Academies PVI settings

Principal Funding Streams AWPU + LS* - Age Weighted Pupil Unit/Lump Sum (This is ASN - Additional School Needs) ACN - Additional Cluster Needs Cluster of Providers HLN - Higher Level Needs HLN County Panel Individual Providers Individual Providers

Funding Principles 1.Responsiveness to needs 2.Effectiveness and standards 3.Equity, transparency and fairness 4.Monitoring, evaluation and review 5.Funding should follow the pupil

The New System Funding previously given to schools through the ‘old’ AEN route will be split into two discrete budgets*: 1.ACN – Additional Cluster Needs 2.HLN – Higher Level Needs Schools will need to consider all CYP currently attending their school against the new criteria and apply for funding from their ACN panel.criteria All CYP requiring additional funding (ACN or HLN) must be submitted to the ACN panel initially in order to access HLN funding. *The notional SEN Budget delegated to schools through lump sum, proxy indicators and prior attainment for the purposes of this new system will be referred to as ASN (Additional School Needs)

The Decision-making process Process and Decision Making Flowchart.doc

Pupil requires support. Provider has to decide if pupil meets ASN, ACN or HLN criteriaASN, ACN or HLN ASN Provider meets needs within their own resources. ACN Application form Application form to be completed by provider and submitted to clustercluster clerk clerk within agreed timescale. HLN Application form to be completed by provider but with current Service reports attached and submitted to cluster clerk within agreed timescale

Clerk distributes copies of application forms amongst all cluster members. Cluster members notify clerk of their vote 2 working days prior to cluster meeting (red, amber or green) Cluster termly meeting held

RED Provider notified by cluster clerk that request for support refused. N.B. school may re-submit with additional evidence AMBER Second vote taken following detailed discussion during cluster meting GREEN ACN – cluster agree on level and duration of support. HLN - cluster endorse application to be submitted to HLN County Panel but maintain ACN allocation should it be refused VOTING OPTIONS

ACN Cluster clerk notifies provider And named person at Tipping Street to enable allocation of budget HLN Cluster clerk notifies provider and forwards paperwork to named person at Tipping Street for inclusion onto HLN County Panel agendaHLN County Panel

1.HLN clerk distributes copies of application forms amongst all HLN County Panel members 2. HLN members notify clerk of their vote 24 hours prior to County Panel meeting (red, amber or green) 3. HLN County Panel termly meeting held.

RED Provider notified by HLN clerk that request for support refused but that ACN allocation made instead AMBER Second vote taken following discussion during cluster meeting GREEN HLN County Panel agree on level of support. HLN clerk notifies provider, cluster and person at Tipping Street to enable allocation of budget

Case Study discussion

Summary… Cluster decision making Further training – Guidance for running Additional Cluster Needs Meeting.doc Guidance for running Additional Cluster Needs Meeting.doc Key dates for 2011 and Termly meetings - only 3 per year Electronic system as far as possible Relatively small number of children and young people Accountability, tracking and monitoring ‘Top up’ Model Further questions, comments - please contact your district support teams