Element 3 Funding: clarifications

We are publishing this MI sheet to clarify points raised by settings regarding arrangements for the Element 3 funding process for the academic year 25/26. The full guidance can be found here: Element 3 Funding 2025-26 - Element 3 Guidance: 2025/26 Academic Year - Norfolk Schools and Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council

We are aware that some SENDCos and schools' leaders have had questions about what exactly is required and so the intention of this communication is to provide that clarity. We hope the information below is useful but, perhaps, the most important message is thatif you are not clear or are concerned about your ability to provide the information by the deadline then please do make direct contact with our team as soon as possible and we will work with you to find the best way forward.

We are transitioning from one model to another this year and so we do want you to feel that can talk to our teams so that we can make it work together.  We absolutely recognise that, for some schools, this may be a significant ask, but if we can get it completed then we will have a baseline for each school, and as a system, to plan provision and funding and to make a success of the new model.

We hope this further communication is helpful to you and we would like to emphasise that we want to work with your teams collaboratively on this.

What we need to make the model work and provide schools with indicative funding allocation

In summary what we are looking for from schools is:

• To provide INDES submissions for CYP who currently don't have one, or the submission needs updating. Children classed as at SEN Support (SEN K) or who have an EHCP (SEN E)
• To provide SEN support plans for new submissions
• To provide your Graduated Provision Map (GPM) (where settings have not already submitted this, or it needs updating)
• To provide your IPSEF (where settings have not already submitted this, or it needs updating)

Key Questions

1. Schools have asked whether the most recent format for the Graduated Provision Map is now compulsory rather than optional. We are asking that you provide the new format to enable consistency across the county, but if this is not possible then please contact us to discuss. This format provides much better information and will allow us to move towards consistent practice in Norfolk and help schools in future to compare their different models of support as we look to identify best practice. If your school has not yet adopted the new format and does not think you can provide this by the deadline then please contact us and we will work with you.
2. Schools have also asked for clarity as to whether we need INDES submissions for all children with SEND or just those with the highest needs where previously funding has been applied for.  In line with our INDES guidance:
   • When identifying a child or young person's needs as part of the assess, plan, do, review process (SEND Code of Practice, 2015), professionals use statements that best describe presentation of need from typically developing to complex.  The INDES implementation guide can support settings in this task.
   • The use of INDES means educational settings and all other SEND professionals in Norfolk use a common language and terms of reference which give an "at-a-glance" high context presentation of need, and we have encouraged all settings to use this co-produced approach for a number of years.
   • This helps schools and the LA to quickly and clearly identify a child's needs so provision and services can be put in place more swiftly, and all professionals have a clear view of the profile of need. The INDES also aid communications with parents and carers and provide detail to aid census returns.
   • INDES also support education, health and care plan (EHCP) referrals and reviews for children and young people and can be used to support phase transfer or transitions as well as document a child's progress over time.

As such, we are requesting submission of INDES for all children who meet these criteria, i.e. children classed as at 'SEN Support' (SEN K) or who have an EHCP (SEN E), where they have not previously been submitted or they require updating.  

If you identify children who, on review, you feel don't meet the criteria above and do not need to be on your SEN register, then you do not require an INDES to be completed.

If you are not sure who to include, or you are concerned about completing these within the requested timescale, then please do contact our teams directly and we will advise and support you.  

Timeline

The timeline found here Element 3 Funding 2025-26 - Timeline - Norfolk Schools an Learning Providers - Norfolk County Council is in place to give us every opportunity to issue information that will help schools with financial planning in a timely manner.

Support

Please do get in touch via our Element 3 funding mailbox to ask questions or clarify your understanding. Thank you to those who already have done so. 

We have, so far, held 3 SEND Surgery sessions with a further one planned for the 6 February so please drop in to ask any questions you have to SEND Advisers. Other dates can be added if there is sufficient demand.

If you do want to discuss your situation directly with us, then please do get in touch via our Element 3 funding mailbox.

Support available and access to SEND surgery sessions can be found here:

Element 3 Funding 2025-26 - What support is available?