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Funding for pupils with SEN

Understand how provision for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is funded in your school.

Last reviewed on 16 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 4735
Contents
  1. Mainstream schools: you'll receive funding in 2 main ways
  2. Funding for pupils in SEN units and resourced provision
  3. Special schools and alternative provision (AP): how you'll receive funding
  4. Personal budgets for pupils with EHC plans

Please note: the high needs national funding formula (NFF), which is typically used to calculate local authorities’ (LAs') high needs allocations, is suspended for 2026-27. Instead, LAs' allocations will be based on their 2025-26 allocations, with some adjustments. The DfE will review the methodology for allocating high needs funding as part of wider government SEND reforms. This is set out in paragraph 3.1 of the high needs funding operational guide.

Mainstream schools: you'll receive funding in 2 main ways

1. Your budget or core funding

The notional SEN budget is not separate from your school’s overall budget – it's an identified amount within it that guides SEN spending decisions. Your school has the flexibility to spend more or less