Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the BCP Council area have until Wednesday 27 July to put forward their views to an online consultation on proposed changes to the way top-up funding is distributed in mainstream schools.

All mainstream schools receive money for special education needs support and resources and decide how this is spent. Top up funding is sometimes paid by the council to help supplement existing provision within schools and is determined by an Education Health and Care needs assessment (EHCP).

Cllr Nicola Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for education, said: “Our aspiration is that the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area remains an inclusive place for children and young people with SEND to learn and thrive.

“The crucial need to make improvements in our provision has been highlighted to us by families themselves and it is important that this aspect of our SEND improvement journey is shaped by the people who use it.

“I encourage any parents, carers or schools with an interest in the outcomes of these proposed funding changes to have their say.”

The current consultation recommends adjustments to the descriptors (or funding values) used for children and young people with an EHCP, and asks people to consider if these suggestions will better meet needs.

The results of the consultation will inform any final decisions made about SEND mainstream school banding. Proposals will be presented to cabinet for consideration this autumn, following discussions by the BCP Schools Forum.

If the proposals are approved, the new banding scheme will be implemented in the academic year 22/23.