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Local High Needs Funding

The Local High Needs Funding system is designed to support children and young people (CYP) with emerging high needs, or with needs that fall outside of the EHCP process.

Each of the nine DSPL areas manage this locally with their own individual budgets, and the funding is paid out centrally straight into school budgets. LHNF is a top-up funding and is for interventions and provision which go beyond quality first teaching and reasonable adjustments.

All schools and settings across DSPL3 area are invited to attend 1 panel meeting per academic year. Representation is highly valued and required in order for the panels to take place. This helps ensure the panels provide a robust and transparent decision-making process.

LHNF Panel Dates

Closing Date for Applications

Thursday 13th June 2024

Thursday 30th May (6pm)

Thursday 4th July 2024

Thursday 20th June (6pm)

Wednesday 18th September 2024

Wednesday 4th September (6pm)

Thursday 24th October 2024

Thursday 10th October (6pm)

Wednesday 20th November 2024

Wednesday 6th November (6pm)

Wednesday 22nd January 2025

Wednesday 8th January (6pm)

Wednesday 12th February 2025

Wednesday 29th January (6pm)

Wednesday 12th March 2025

Wednesday 26th February (6pm)

Wednesday 21st May 2025

Wednesday 7th May (6pm)

Wednesday 18th June 2025

Wednesday 4th June (6pm)

Wednesday 9th July 2025

Wednesday 25th June (6pm)

Application Process

School settings should apply in the usual way, using the forms and guidance below.

(Please send your application to DSPL3LHNF@amwell.herts.sch.uk)

Application Process for Early Years Settings

A new Early Years funding system was introduced in June 2023. Recommendations and requests for Local High Needs Funding are now made by practitioners within Integrated Services for Learning (ISL). If the Early Years SEND Support panel agrees the needs meet the criteria for the Targeted plus descriptor or above, the case will be taken to the LHNF panel for final decision making.