How Top-Up Funding is calculated (Funding Matrix)

To make sure the way funding is allocated to children and young people with Top-Up funding is clear and fair, we have developed a local Top-Up ‘Funding Matrix’. The Matrix can be used to support decision making for the allocation of additional education funding for SEND, regardless of the setting, using the four broad categories from the SEND Code of Practice, which we have further subdivided into domains of need.

Each domain is then broken down into levels of severity (0 = no significant need, 4 = highest level of need). The four main categories are also weighted to ensure relative comparability. This way, parents and schools can be sure that children and young people in Islington with similar levels of need will receive the same level of funding:In use, the child’s needs are plotted against the Matrix and the combined scores converted into a Top-up ‘tariff’.

Top-up Tariff (2023-24)

Points

Amount in addition to £6,000K already delegated (£)

0-12

£0

13-24

Up to £1,280

25-32

Up to £3,330

33-50

Up to £5,700

51-70

Up to £9,610

71-90

Up to £12,730

91+

Up to £18,600

 

Weighting and allocations have been calculated by considering models from seven other Local Authorities (alongside our own current costing approach).

In application, needs in each area are considered for ‘best fit’ based on all of the available advice. The model can be used for children and young people with or without a statutory plan. It can also be used to support an EHC assessment.

We recognise that no tool can ever be absolutely precise, and where the Matrix doesn’t seem to reflect individual circumstances or needs, a more detailed discussion may be needed.

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