[senco-forum] delegated SEN monies

One way of finding out is to discreetly ask a parent of an SEN child to 
put in a written Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the H/T for 
disclosure of exact amount of SEN delegated funding recieved for the 
currrent financila year.-- a question could also include  -- how much 
is actually spent on direct funding of SEN from the school delegated 
budget. Only to include cost of TAs directly deployed for School Action 
/ Statemented children / cost of SENCo hours deployed for SEN -- admin 
costs and equipment and materials specifically for SEN children 
(averaged out over a period of approx 5 years). Parent coiuld put the 
FoI request to the LA -- but putting it  to the school is more direct. 
Make sure the questions are global and do not identify particular 
members of staff -- as the H/T can refuse to answer questions that 
reveal personal details.

I have produced a long list of such FoI questions for parents going to 
appeal following LAs refusal to initiate a statutory assessment -- as 
many LAs are currently refusing simply on the grounds that because they 
now delegate "all" central funds to schools -- the school can, 
therefore provide for all levels of SEN from it's own resources -- and 
that issuing a statement will not generate additional funds (although 
walking a fine line of ilegalllity as such reasons /policies are).

So the Appeal Panel needs to know if this is true in effect. It is 
scaring schools to death to be asked to show their financial 'books' to 
tribunals under FoI. Also the SENDIST can order LAs to produce such 
information.

There has been a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons revcently 
(that unusally received widespread support has has gone to Committee 
stage ./ 2nd Reading) requiring LAs to publish such information.

Best of luck -- but warn any parent who does this -- not to state that 
you are behind the request -- your SMT may hit the roof with you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lynne Martin <funkystork at hotmail.com>
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Sent: Thu, 29 May 2008 17:14
Subject: [senco-forum] delegated SEN monies

Dear all,

I am interested to know how many secondary SENCOs know how much SEN/AEN 
monies come into schools.

Certainly I have no idea how much money is available and therefore can 
only guess at costings for interventions.

I am at the mercy of the head and governing body. They appear generous, 
but I am not put in a position to judge.

Confused of a London Borough.
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