Element 3 Funding 2025-26

We are intending to move to the new arrangements for Element 3 funding in Norfolk from the start of the 2025/26 academic year.    

This is to allow schools to align their planning of provision to their academic year planning, alongside allowing time to undertake the planning and preparation for all.   

Presuming that the Schools Block to High Needs Block transfer is agreed by the Secretary of State for 2025/26, we are intending that schools will receive a formulaic allocation of Element 3 funding from September 2025 based upon the pro-rata amount relating to the autumn 25 and spring 26 terms.  This will be distributed on the principles of the schools funding formula.   

The Government provided the DSG allocations on 18 December and we are in the process of determining school budget shares as per normal due process.  Once this work is complete, we will be able to publish provisional Element 3 formula allocations, and we will notify schools and trusts.   

The remainder of the Element 3 funding in Norfolk will be distributed based upon the principle of cohort funding for a school, which will take into account the identified needs and support plans for children with SEND, the school's planned SEND provision (as can be demonstrated through a Graduated Provision Map), and the school's self-assessment of their SEND offer (IPSEF).   

In the longer term, conversations regarding the needs of children, provision within a school, and the funding of that provision, will take place as part of Team around the School meetings (as part of the SEND and Inclusion Support model currently being rolled out across the county).   

However, we all need a starting point and to do this we are asking schools to submit their:  

• INDES with SEN support plans for CYP with SEND 
• Graduated Provision Maps for their school 
• IPSEF for their school 

We do not expect this to be an onerous task for schools who keep these documents up to date, and we ask that these are submitted by February half term.   

Where these are submitted prior to half term, we will review and provide an indicate Element 3 allocation for the 2025/26 academic year by Easter.    

Indicative allocations will be after Easter where these are submitted after February half term. 

For further detailed guidance : Element 3 Guidance: 2025/26 Academic Year