The Leicestershire Schools' Forum met on 6 November 2025 to discuss the extension of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Investment Fund, and an exceptional premises factor disapplication request. The forum was also scheduled to receive a verbal update on the first phase of consultation on transitioning to a banded model for Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) funding.

SEN Investment Fund

The forum was scheduled to discuss a proposal to extend the SEN Investment Fund for 2026-27. The SEN Investment Fund was set up to support children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

The report pack included the results of a consultation on a proposed 0.5% transfer from the Schools Block¹ to the High Needs Block² to continue the SEN Investment Fund. According to the report, the consultation generated 31 valid responses, with the majority of respondents disagreeing with the continuation of the 0.5% transfer.

71% of respondents strongly disagreed with the continuation of the SEND Investment Fund.

The consultation responses raised concerns including:

• A perceived lack of demonstrable impact from the existing fund.
• The impact of the funding transfer on frontline provision and staffing.
• A perceived lack of transparency, governance, communication and accountability.
• The fund's focus on SEMH and wider needs.
• The equity of funding contributions and the impact on inclusive schools.

The report stated that despite the consultation feedback, there was an ongoing need for a SEN Investment Fund due to increasing demand for support for children and young people with SEND.

The forum was asked to consider two options for funding a sustainable outreach and graduated support offer to mainstream schools through Oakfield School:

1. A 0.5% Schools Block Transfer to the High Needs Block.
2. A per-pupil contribution from schools and a commitment from schools to supporting ongoing mainstream inclusion.

The forum was asked to agree which option to recommend to the cabinet.

Exceptional Premises Factor

The forum was scheduled to consider a request to continue applying the exceptional premises factor within the 2026-27 Leicestershire school funding formula, and to support the associated disapplication request required by the Department for Education (DfE).

The report pack stated that under the structure of the National Funding Formula (NFF), local authorities are only permitted to include premises funding within the local formula where it falls under the nationally defined factor set, such as PFI or split-site funding.

The report noted that a small number of schools in Leicestershire incur rental costs for essential buildings or sports facilities, due to estate limitations, planning restrictions or the absence of suitable on-site provision. The report stated that the continuation of this exceptional factor would ensure that the impact of these unavoidable site constraints is not unfairly borne by the individual schools affected.

The council proposed to maintain this funding for seven eligible schools in 2026-27 where formal lease or licence agreements exist. The council reviews all rental agreements annually to confirm that costs remain essential, unavoidable and directly linked to delivery of the statutory curriculum.

The forum was asked to approve the continuation of the exceptional premises factor for 2026-27, and to endorse the submission of a disapplication request to the DfE to allow this factor to remain operational within the local formula.

EHCP Funding Transition

The forum was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the first phase of consultation on transitioning to a banded model for EHCP funding. An EHCP³ is a legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational needs, the support they need, and the outcomes they would like to achieve.

Other Business

The agenda included an item for any other business.