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Information & advice

SEN Funding

All mainstream schools receive money to support children and young people with special educational needs. This guide explores how schools can spend that money and how you can ensure your child is getting the support they need.

What is SEN funding for?

All mainstream schools receive money for Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and resources. Schools can decide how to spend this money. This is called delegated funding. This part of the school’s income is sometimes called the notional SEN budget.

Schools must do everything they can to make sure that all children with SEN get the support they need. Schools should use some of their budget to make provision for children who need additional help. This can take many forms such as:

  • A base to work in or have quiet time
  • Special equipment or teaching materials
  • The use of additional information technology
  • Small group work
  • Some changes to the curriculum
  • Support in the classroom

Our in-depth guide on SEN funding has more information about where SEN Funding comes from, how schools can use it, and how to ensure your child is receiving the support they need. Download it and our SEN funding infographic below.

In-depth guide

Our in-depth guide on SEN Funding explores the funding that mainstream schools receive to provide SEN support and how you can ensure your child is getting the support they need.

SEN Funding Infographic

A handy infographic summarising some key points about SEN Funding that you can download and print.