High needs Element 3 funding
Before you start:
- Read an overview of SEN funding for schools.
- View your school's budget share. It provides a detailed breakdown of a school's budget. It details the amounts a school will receive through each of the funded factors.
The Learning and SEND team facilitate requests for Element 3 funding.
General funding enquiries can be sent to the funding mailbox: element3funding@norfolk.gov.uk
Element 3 funding arrangements for financial year 2023/2024
The Spring term 2023 saw the conclusion of the original procedure for requesting Element 3 funding, now fully replaced by a revised process for accessing support for children and young people with SEND in mainstream settings.
View a link to our guidance and frequently asked questions (PDF) [294KB]
To access support (which may include Element 3 funding), settings should submit an INDES via the webform, tick the box: "are you requesting support for this CYP?" and upload supporting information. Supporting information should include the CYP's SEN Support plan, EHCP and other documentation eg Health Care Plan, Behaviour Support plan etc if applicable. It is recommended that settings read the INDES implementation guide before submitting INDES.
Settings should also ensure they have uploaded a costed provision map as part of their IPSEF submission. The costed provision map can also be uploaded via the Document Upload Webform if the IPSEF has been recently submitted. (Norfolk have produced an example costed provision map template, but settings can use whichever format they wish.) Schools and academies can check their current allocations by using the budget share tracker and entering their password into the 'SEN Allocation Memo.'
When an INDES submission is received and the setting has requested support via the webform, the Support for SEND Triage (SST) process is engaged. The SST process reviews whether the iLevels (from the INDES submission) are aligned with the information submitted.
Once the submission has been processed, the setting will receive feedback from a panel of SEND professionals, which will range from individual, holistic advice and signposting to additional funding - it may also lead to an offer of support from a SEND Adviser if wider, more strategic SEND cohort advice is appropriate.
Bandings and amounts financial year 23/24:
The INDES submission may generate a funding band. This funding band is generated from the INDES iLevels.
| Band | Annual allocation | Total per individual (including Notional contribution) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £1,350 | £7,350 |
| 2 | £2,240 | £8,240 |
| 3 | £4,044 | £10,044 |
| 4a | £8,000 | £14,000 |
| 4b | £12,000 | £16,000 |
| 4c | £16,000 | £22,000 |
These are allocated to individual CYP who have high special educational needs and are used in conjunction with the school's contribution of the initial £6,000.
Please note - from financial year 23/24 onwards, we will only process requests for support that are submitted before 31 January each financial year, meaning, any requests received from 1 February will not be processed until the new financial year and allocated from the summer term onwards. This is to ensure we can feedback to settings, so they have SEND funding information when setting budgets.
Funding will be allocated from the term in which the INDES was submitted. (Except Spring term submissions after 31 January as detailed above.)
Funding bands are based on full time attendance and will be allocated pro-rata where a CYP is not accessing a setting full time. In the exceptional circumstance where a reduced timetable is in place, please contact element3funding@norfolk.gov.uk (as well as informing csattendance@norfolk.gov.uk) so that these cases can be discussed on an individual basis.
The Bridging Fund: High needs Year R entrants
During Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024 terms, the Bridging Fund will be automatically allocated to children/young people:
- previously in receipt of the higher rate of funding in their Early Years setting (complex or medical needs)
Or...
- with an EHCP
Or...
- who have received a "yes to plan" decision during the summer term 2023
Settings will receive £3962.27 for the Autumn and Spring terms combined. This is alongside the setting's notional contribution of £4000 per CYP for the Autumn and Spring terms. (See Norfolk's Budget Share Tracker for your setting's Notional budget.) The amount is calculated by matching the amount per hour a child receives through Early Years funding and uplifted to reflect full time provision in Year R.
The Bridging Fund will be allocated automatically in October and November 2023 - settings do not need to take any action. We will contact settings at the end of September 2023 to confirm if the child eligible for the Bridging Fund is on roll.
We recommend that primary/infant settings liaise with their feeder Early Years providers to identify children who may be eligible for the Bridging Fund as part of their transition processes. It is important that Early Years providers and Primary/Infant settings work closely to enable smooth transitions through careful transition planning to ensure CYP needs are met. Guidance, information, and resources are available to support transition arrangements.
Allocation of the Bridging Fund will allow settings the time to get to know the children and determine, through the Assess, Plan, Do, Review process, whether requesting support via an INDES submission is appropriate. Settings can submit an INDES from September 2023 to 31 January 2024 once they have a full understanding of the child/young person's educational and developmental needs.
Where a CYP meets the criteria for the Bridging Fund, but has a delayed start to YR, please contact element3funding@norfolk.gov.uk.
Pupils leaving the setting
Settings should use the INDES web form to notify Learning and SEND where a CYP with an INDES submission has left the setting.
Pupils where needs have changed
Where a pupil's needs have changed significantly, settings should submit a revised INDES to ensure that support matches their needs. Where a CYP with an INDES submission no longer requires SEN support, settings should use the INDES webform and choose "CYP no longer requires support".
Ongoing support for settings
Learning and SEND offer a termly Element 3 workshop and termly SEND surgery sessions for those requiring bespoke support and guidance.
Details of these sessions are communicated through the eCourier. Places can be booked through: Training & Events | Norfolk Services for Schools.