Allocation of resources
National funding formula
In Derby, we are creating an inclusive and ambitious city for all, find out more in our Local Area Inclusion Plan. We want all schools to be inclusive by design, so children in every corner of the city can have their needs met in their community, where we know education outcomes are better for children and young people. Schools receive funding for pupils in a number of ways, to make sure needs are supported at the right time, in the right place.
We implement the national funding formula (NFF) meaning schools in Derby continue to be funded above the levels national policy has determined, which is great news for all our schools.
Element 1: Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU)
This funding comes from the school’s block.
As part of the delegated budget, all schools receive basic funding for every pupil known as the AWPU (Age Weighted Pupil Unit). Schools also each receive funding for other pupil characteristics such as deprivation and a lump sum amount for the school which must meet the minimum funding level as set by the Department for Education minimum funding levels per pupil, for 2025-26 primary schools are at least £4,955 per pupil and secondary schools, at least £6,495 per pupil.
This funding covers teaching/SENCO costs and is the base per pupil funding that every school gets. Reasonable adjustments that are to be met by the school. The duty to have an accessibility strategy, SEN/D policy and SEND information report.
Element 2: Notional SEND budget
This funding comes from the School Block.
Each school’s delegated budget includes a notional SEN allocation. Nationally, schools are required to fund the first £6,000 of additional costs per child or young person with SEND; this funding is used to implement strategies such as resources and/or additional support. Some pupils with SEND will also be eligible for additional funding, such as Pupil Premium.
This includes developing and embedding ordinarily available provision, for example, ELSA, and training and development of staff. Low impact and high frequency SEND support and interventions including the need for Lego therapy, zones of regulation and circle of friends. Adaptation, development, and delivery of appropriate curriculum and environment. Schools must show how they have used SEND notional for young people with SEND to meet their needs up to the threshold of £6000 if they make a request for assessment for additional resources.
Element 3: High needs top-up funding
This funding comes from the high needs block.
The funding required over and above the core funding.
This funding relates to an individual pupil and the amount allocated is defined by the individual pupil’s needs and agreed provision, as described in their EHC plan. This top-up funding is used along with universal funding and £6,000 from the school’s notional SEN funding to provide the provision described with the pupil’s EHC plan. Top-up funding is provided to the school for the time a pupil attends that school (part-time places are funded accordingly). If a Derby school has a child from another local authority attending their school, the school will have to claim ‘Top up’ funding directly from the other local authority.
This pays for per pupil support beyond SEND Notional, so, for example, if you have a young person with a high level of need who requires more bespoke provision, the element will be used to put in place the provision as specified in their EHC plan.
The local authority has reviewed our processes that allocate element 3 funding. This is often called ‘top up funding’ or ‘banding’. The review was to ensure that funding allocations agreed are consistent and based on a child or young person’s needs.
Element 3 funding: Allocation
Banding descriptors are used to support a clear, fair and equitable distribution of resources for EHC plans (EHCPs).
Applying changes to the funding using the matrix started in June 2025 and will take place over a 2-year period. The matrix is used for children and young people across mainstream, resourced provisions and special schools from ages 5-16. This will ensure that there is a greater consistency of funding across schools in the city and will support children with potential transitions between types of settings.
Using the matrix provides many benefits:
- Schools do not need to complete a funding form for each pupil.
- Funding is allocated at the time of the EHC plan being finalised.
- Funding remains with the pupil throughout the key stages.
- New schools do not need to complete a funding form as the funds will move with the pupil.
- Consistent approach to funding.
- Needs-led support.
Element 3 funding: FIDS scores
The matrix sets out a number of descriptors of needs across all areas of SEND. Panel members will determine a FIDS score for each of the areas. FIDS stands for:
- Frequency
- Intensity
- Duration
- Severity
Using FIDS helps us to work out the complexity of the needs that a child or young person presents with and using our matrix, we will then ensure we are allocating enough funding to support the delivery of the special educational provision they have been identified as needing.
Frequency
1. Low: Occasional episode
2. Medium: Weekly / daily occurrence with some multiple episodes on some days.
3. High: Multiple episodes in almost every session or lesson or multiple events in some sessions or lessons.
4. Very High: Persistent and / or stop without any abatement.
Intensity
1. Low: Some inappropriate behaviour or resistant behaviour with some defiance and off-task behaviour.
2. Medium: Disruptive and non-compliant behaviour with some intrusive aspects with significant off-task behaviour.
3. High: Long-lasting over 20 minutes in duration and sometimes lasting an entire session or lesson.
4. Very High: No discernible end to episode and often lasting throughout a significant part of the day or even all day.
Duration
1. Low: Lasts for 1-3 minutes with refocussing possible.
2. Medium: Lasts for extended period of 5 minutes or more with occasional periods.
3. High: Long-lasting over 20 minutes in duration and sometimes lasting an entire session or lesson.
4. Very High: No discernible end to episode and often lasting throughout a significant part of the day or even all day.
Funding decisions
Funding decisions are not appealable to the tribunal service. However, if the school do not agree with the amount of funding awarded and feel they are not able to put in place the provision outline in section F of the pupils EHC plan, their first point of contact is their allocated SEND Officer. They will look into the concerns raised and gather information to present to senior managers who will determine whether the matrix decision making has allocated sufficient funding to discharge the Council's legal duties.
Element 3 funding: EHCP banding descriptors
The Banding Descriptors Matrix has been developed to help allocate top-up funding for EHC plans.
View the Banding Matrix.
EHCP banding calculation description
The banding is calculated using this formula:
Point on the matrix band x Weighting based on category of need x Weighting based on level
=
Matrix allocated funding level
Element 3 funding: Top-up tariff
Points amount in addition to £6000 already delegated.
| Matrix points | Funding |
|---|---|
| 125 - 188 | - |
| 189 - 248 | £1,000.00 |
| 249 - 308 | £2,000.00 |
| 309 - 484 | £5,000.00 |
| 485 - 658 | £6,000.00 |
| 659 - 832 | £7,000.00 |
| 833 - 1006 | £8,000.00 |
| 1007 - 1180 | £9,000.00 |
| 1181 - 1404 | £10,000.00 |
| 1405 - 1628 | £11,000.00 |
| 1629 - 1852 | £12,000.00 |
| 1853 - 2076 | £13,000.00 |
| 2077 - 2300 | £14,000.00 |
| 2301 - 2524 | £15,000.00 |
| 2525 - 2748 | £16,000.00 |
| 2749 - 2972 | £17,000.00 |
| 2973 - 3196 | £18,000.00 |
| 3197 - 3420 | £19,000.00 |
| 3421 + | £20,000.00 |
Weighting and allocations have been calculated by considering models from many other local authorities (alongside our own current costing approach).
In application, needs in each area are considered for ‘best fit’ based on all of the available advice. The model is used for Proposed EHC Plan and a Proposed Amended Following an Annual Review.
We recognise that no tool can ever be absolutely precise, and where the matrix doesn’t seem to reflect individual circumstances or needs, a more detailed discussion may be needed.
Element 3 funding matrix: Effectiveness
- It makes sure children get the funding they need at the right time and in the right place.
- It reduces the amount of paperwork required to get funds to where they can be used most effectively to help children.
- It helps schools to have control over the planning and use of allocated resources.
- It is a fair system that ensures all schools are working within the same framework.
- It helps make best use of specialist support services.
- As resources are readily available to schools through the funding scheme, more children will have their needs met without the need for top-up funding.
Equality Impact Assessment
View our Equality Impact Assessment for further information.
Exceptional funding
There may be times where the school needs additional resources for a fixed period of time to implement provision to meet the needs of a pupil and this can be discussed with the SEND team on an individual basis.
The local authority has a duty to ensure the provision detailed in ‘Section F’ of a child or young person’s EHC plan is being met. Where parents believe the provision is not being provided, they should speak to the School SENCO in the first instance and if concerns remain, email the SEND team at sendduty@derby.gov.uk.