We would require an OT to complete a form stating the clinical reasoning for the equipment, the school submits this to the LA, in each academic year the school would be expected to find the first £1000 and the LA would fund the rest.  We are currently looking into reviewing our policy, putting together an equipment 'board' with health, social care and education which would then discuss allocation of funding and the potential for joint funding of equipment. We don't supplement universal equipment that could be used by other children and young people, such as hygiene suite equipment, non-specific toileting equipment, writing slopes etc.

I'd be really interested to hear what other people do as out costs have increased rather dramatically over the last few years with no actual budget to fund it.

In my LA we have a special schools' funding matrix; learners are scored against several different domains to determine their top up funding.  Special Schools are then expected to fund specialist equipment from that top up funding.  Occasionally major pieces of equipment will be part funded with health / continuing care e.g. Acheeva beds.

Would you be willing to share this with me Jane?  My email address is Emma.Sharpe @York.gov.uk

Not a special school, a resource provision but we still have specialist PD equipment.

For expensive purchases such as hoists, changing beds etc. I need OT/PT to sign off on the need and then this goes to SEN panel for funding.

Some costly single pupil use items are similarly funded e.g. Neater Eater

Some equipment is funded between health and education, some between social and education and rarely by all 3.

There is no specific element within the funding provided for each pupil place to cover equipment such as slings, adapted keyboards etc. I have to plan a budget with a surplus so that such purchases can come from that surplus and not break the bank. This is getting harder with LAs (I currently have pupils from 3) increasingly looking to reduce funding while increasing the complexity of need they feel can be met.