In 2014, the Local Authority proposed a series of changes to top-up rates for pupils with a variety of Special Educational Needs. At the time those proposals focused simply on the rate itself. There was no rationale given for how those rates had been ‘calculated’.
The overwhelming response from schools was that it was difficult to provide any reasoned response to the proposals when it was based on what appeared to be an arbitrary figure. Schools were also clear in their feedback at that time that any subsequent consultation would need a clear explanation of how the figures had been arrived at.
Schools were also consistent in their 2014 feedback in asking for clarity not only on how the specific proposals for the types of need they would meet had been developed, but also in asking for sight of what was being proposed for all types of special educational need so that they could compare and contrast between top-up funding rate proposals for different SEN profiles.
As a result of that comprehensive and consistent rejection of the proposals in 2014, the top-up rates suggested at that time were not progressed
In October 2016, as part of a wider consideration of the funding position within the DSG, the Schools Forum agreed to consult all schools on a range of options for reducing costs and addressing cost pressures within the DSG. One of the options put forward was an overall reduction in the costs of SEN Top-Up rates. All schools are being asked for their view on this as a ‘principle’ in conjunction with a range of other savings options. That consultation on the DSG Savings will run concurrently with this consultation, which will seek the views of both Mainstream Sutton Schools with Specialist Bases in the Primary and Secondary Sectors and the views of Sutton Special Schools.
The attached consultation document (under the Related heading, below) sets out further details on the context and rationale for the proposal, and to make relevant information available to all those being consulted.
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