BandingMatrix–VersionFour-hereford.docVIP

PAGE  PAGE 23 Banded Funding Matrix Criteria for Banded Funding Revised September 2006 Matrix – Criteria for Banded Funding Revised September 2006 (Third Edition) Introduction The original editions of the matrix for banded funding were well received and provided the basis for the introduction of banded funding in primary schools from April 2003. Since then, the funding has expanded to cover Key Stage 3 and panel decisions are now made by teacher members only. The statutory assessment rate has fallen dramatically and children are supported more promptly and at an earlier stage. It was always intended that banded funding should be available as a less bureaucratic alternative to statementing. Money for SEN support is delegated to schools and, in a county such as Herefordshire, with many small schools, banded funding is an equitable way of doing this. It was also always the intention that the decision making process would be delegated to a school-based panel, with Council involvement limited to professional advice and clerical support. However, schools understand that the Council has an obligation to monitor the effective spending of SEN funds. With the subsequent appointment of a monitoring officer, the processes of reporting on children’s progress will be simplified. Guidance on this aspect of banded funding will be published separately. Although all new statements are now written with band levels, these should not be confused with banded funding. Even so, the band in a statement is not usually more than a band without a statement – so a statement will typically not offer any financial incentive. Of course, children in special schools must have a statement and there will be a very small number of children in mainstream schools where the statement may specify more than band 4. Level 1 and 2 banded funding is designed to be offered on the basis of evidence which should already be available in the school, thereby minimising paperwork. Members of the support team