Exceptional Needs Fund

In some cases, schools may be eligible to apply for Exceptional Needs Funding (ENF). The criteria for ENF is as follows:

 

EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS FUNDING CRITERIA:

Pupils with complex SEN may be entering the local education system for the first time (e.g. new arrivals in-borough or children who have been out of the school system) where there is clear evidence of a high level of need likely to result in the award of an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) BUT are at the start of the statutory process. In such cases additional resources may be urgently required in order that a school place can be made available. 

Where the following criteria are met, applications for Exceptional Needs Funding will be considered: 

  1. A child, without an EHCP, entering the education system (at any phase) for the first time who has significant needs from the outset and who would not be able to access the setting without a high level of support.
    1. The level of needs must be such that there is a high likelihood the child will meet thresholds for an EHC Plan and in the application, this must be supported by at least one suitably qualified professional external to the school (this can include an assessment from one of Wokingham’s commissioned specialist outreach services provided by Addington School, Foundry College, or The Grove at Highwood Primary School).
    2. This funding can only be provided to pupils who attend school within Wokingham’s borders including those who are resident in other areas but attend schools within the area; High Needs Block funding is allocated to Wokingham to meet the needs of local pupils so in these circumstances the short-term funding is provided on the basis that meeting these pupil’s needs will be of benefit to the wider school community.

OR

  1. A child from another Local Authority moving to Wokingham, without an EHCP, who exhibits a level of significant need from the outset and who may have begun the EHCP process in another authority prior to their move. 

OR

  1. A child within the education system for whom there has been a life-changing event that has significantly impacted their access to education/learning.  (Schools will need to outline what this event is and how it has impacted the education/learning of the child.)

 

Further information can be found here:

ENF process

ENF application form for schools