Decision details

From April 2013 the Local Authority became responsible for the administration of element 3 funding. This is top up funding (element 1 and element 2) to enable a student with high needs to participate in education and learning. The Education Funding Agency (EFA) makes an allocation to Local authorities for element 3, through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This forms part of the high needs budget. Local Authorities then use their high needs budget to pay top-up funding to institutions. The Head of Complex Needs wishes to put robust contract arrangements in place with all providers in receipt of element 3 funding to ensure all learners achieve good outcomes.

The Director of Children’s Services agreed to:

·  Award contracts to providers listed in appendix 1 under the exempt contracts clause of Contract Procedure Rules in order to meet the Local Authorities obligations under the Children & Families Act 2014. The contract shall commence on the 1^st September 2015 and expire on the 31^st August 2016, with the option to extend for four further periods of 12 months; and

·  Approve the award of a contract to new providers, not listed in appendix 1, in exceptional circumstances where the individual student’s needs cannot be met by any of the providers listed in appendix 1.

Learning providers have been consulted about the proposal to award contracts.

No public consultation has taken place.

All post 16 learning providers in receipt of element 3 funding.