Dear colleagues,

Please see an update below:

• SEND Funding for 2021-22 - on Wednesday, 10 February, we announced over £42m SEND funding for 2021-22 to extend projects for children with SEND – further information is on gov.uk: Over £42 million to extend projects for children with SEND

• High Needs National Funding Formula consultation - as part of our review of the high needs national funding formula that calculates high needs funding allocations to local authorities, we launched a six-week consultation on 10 February. We are looking for responses to questions on the proposed formula changes for 2022-2023, including questions relating to longer term developments. A link to the consultation is on gov.uk: High needs national funding formula – proposed changes
• Access to Work has extended funding for Supported Internships outside of the work placement until August 2021 - confirmation has been received from DWP that students taking part in a supported internship who are unable to attend their work placements due to coronavirus (COVID-19) can apply for Access to Work funding until the end of August 2021 for work-related activities where: a job coach leads the activity; the activities develop employability skills. Access to Work funding is available for employability activities that are delivered face-to-face or via digital methods. Access to Work is not available to support academic learning activities such as English and Maths. You can contact the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479, and further information is at: Get support in work if you have a disability or health condition (Access to Work) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Many thanks

Special Educational Needs and Disability Division