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<p>The department recognises the challenges faced by the early years sector in meeting
the needs of children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). The department
has already committed to working with stakeholders across the sector to understand
whether changes may be required to the special educational needs inclusion fund (SENIF),
and other associated elements of the wider current early years funding system, as
part of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan. </p><p>The department
is conducting a review of SENIF funding arrangements, as confirmed in the government’s
response to the consultation on expanding the early education entitlements on 20 September
2023. This is so that the department can better support parents, providers and local
authorities, as the expanded entitlements are rolled out.</p><p>At the completion
of this review, the department will consider what information is most appropriate
and helpful for the sector in their delivery of SENIFs. The department will look to
draw examples of best practice together with a view to sector-wide dissemination.</p><p>The
department has increased the rate of disability access funding in 2024/25 to £910
per eligible child per year, having increased in September 2023 from £828 to an annual
equivalent of £881 per year per eligible child. The department is also increasing
high needs funding by £440 million in 2024/25, compared to the high needs funding
allocations for 2023/24. The total high needs budget for 2024/25 will be £10.5 billion.</p><p>The
Early Years National Funding Formula also contains an additional needs element to
take account of the number of 3 and 4 year old children with additional needs in an
area.</p>
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