Element 3 and Unexpected Situations Support Fund (USSF) update

We want to clarify the principles and ongoing steps for schools to ensure they receive the correct Element 3 (E3) funding during the 2025-26 academic year and beyond.

As the needs of students evolve—whether due to new enrolments, departures, demographic shifts (like declining numbers in many primary schools), or the effects of your current provisions—it's essential for schools to actively assess and adapt the support they provide. Keeping your Graduated Provision Map (GPM) updated is a key part of this process. Your GPM plays a central role in your planning and funding discussions.

If, through your assessment of student needs, you discover that your current provisions no longer align with the requirements of your cohort, please take immediate action by:

• Updating your GPM to reflect the necessary adjustments in support.
• Engaging in discussions about your school's overall needs, including provisions and your GPM, during your termly Team Around the School (TAS) meeting.
• If these discussions suggest a need for changes to your E3 funding, whether an increase or decrease, the local authority will reach out to work with you on these potential adjustments and determine a suitable timeline.

Remember, funding is directly linked to student needs and the support provided. As your cohort changes, or as you implement more effective strategies, the funding may also shift. It's vital that any changes to your funding align with your income and expenditure planning. By staying proactive, you can ensure that every student receives the support they need to flourish.

All mainstream schools have submitted their Graduated Provision Maps (GPMs) in preparation for E3 funding starting this autumn. You should have received your budget allocations for autumn 2025 and spring 2026 via the Budget Share Tracker, along with transition arrangements for new pupils joining in September 2025.

This summer, we will also update the E3 guidance document to reflect our move from preparation to full implementation of the new model, ensuring we continue to enhance support for our students. In line with moving to full implementation and as we reach the end of the term, the Unexpected Situations Support Fund available for the 2024-25 academic year has now closed and we thank schools for their patience whilst requests were triaged due to the very high number of received.

The upcoming SEND reforms from the government have the potential to reshape our funding models, with more details expected next term. Currently, Norfolk's notional SEN percentage is low, but it is being gradually increased to align with other local authorities. This adjustment will raise the core budget funding schools are expected to allocate for SEND provision before considering Element 3 funding for individual needs under £6,000. Additionally, the Local Authority is looking to transition from a Schools Block to a High Needs Block funding model in the near future, and this will be reflected in Notional SEN considerations.

This change will provide more resources for mainstream schools to continue enhancing SEND provision, and it will be essential to ensure that our students with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need.

Thank you as ever for all the work that you continue to do to support children and young people to flourish.

For further guidance

Email indesipsefsupport@norfolk.gov.uk or

Email element3funding@norfolk.gov.uk

Call the SEND and Inclusion Support Line on 0333 313 7165 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).