DSG (Dedicated Schools Grant) announcement
The 2017 to 2018 dedicated schools grant (DSG) allocations have been issued today.
High Needs/SEND
The 2017 to 2018 DSG allocations are based on the 2017 to 2018 funding tables published in July 2016 which set out local authority baselines, adjusted to reflect recent spending patterns and the transfer of £125m from the post-16 budget to the high needs block for high needs places in further education institutions. In addition, an uplift to the high needs block of £130m (2.28%) is being made available across local authorities. The high needs uplift is distributed on the following basis:
- £95.3m allocated across authorities on the basis of 2-18 year old population
- £34.7m by growth in the 2 to 18 population between 2016-17 and 2017-18 in each local authority based on the latest population projections
Edward Timpson, Minister for vulnerable children and families, wrote to local authorities on 20 December (see his letter pdf here ) confirming special educational needs and disability (SEND) implementation grant (new burdens) funding of £40m for 2017 to 2018, an increase of £4.2m on 2016 to 2017. (See the grant determination letter pdf here ).The funding is to continue to support transition to the new system for SEND and to support local authorities to make effective plans for this important final year of the transition.
The government has also allocated a High Needs Strategic Planning Grant totalling £23million to LAs, to enable them to carry out strategic reviews of high needs provision. Further information and guidance on how to carry out this review and planning work, and on implementing the plans, are contained in chapter 4 of the high needs national funding formula consultation document.
Early in 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) will also announce money for wider support, including independent supporters and parent carer forums.
Other
Alongside the announcement, the DfE has published local authority allocations and supporting technical information for 2017 to 2018 for the dedicated schools grant (DSG) and the education services grant (ESG) transitional grant.
The DSG settlement for 2017 to 2018 includes:
- The DSG schools block allocated on the basis of the schools block units of funding announced in July 2016
- Continuation of a minimum funding guarantee of minus 1.5% per pupil
The details of the early years block were announced on 1 December 2016.
The ESG transitional grant funding rates and provisional allocations for local authorities are set out in the technical note and allocation table.
Information on other grants:
- The school improvement monitoring and brokering grant was announced on 30 November 2016. This grant of £30 million (pro rata of £50 million per annum) will be allocated to local authorities from September 2017. Local authorities will receive an allocation of at least £1,800 per the number of maintained schools in their authority as at September 2017, subject to a total minimum allocation of £50,000 for each authority.
- The DfE has published the pupil premium conditions of grant for 2017 to 2018. The rates per pupil for pupil premium in 2017 to 2018 will be maintained at their current rates.
- The grant for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) continues at a meal rate of £2.30 for the 2017 to 2018 academic year.
- The year 7 catch-up premium continues in 2017 to 2018. The DfE will confirm the arrangements in early 2017.
- The primary PE and sport premium continues in 2017 to 2018. The DfE will continue to advise schools on sustainable and effective ways to use the premium.
- The grant for extended rights to home to school transport grant will continue in 2017 to 2018. Allocations will be confirmed in early 2017.