Top up funding

The new Top Up Funding model has been designed to support inclusion for all children and young people in Hounslow, with an EHC Plan, within their local community and local Hounslow school.

Hounslow’s new Top Up Funding model ensures that support for children and young people (CYP) with Education, Health and Care Plans is learner-centred and inclusive, with funding “following the learner” across all mainstream settings, SEN centres, and special school settings—scaled to reflect each learner’s complexity of need.

The model standardises funding levels across settings, maintains transparency and aligns with the Mainstream Inclusion Partnership (MIP).

Every young person with an EHCP, will have an up-to-date “Descriptor of Need” (see below), which will be a profile of their individual needs, and will enable accurate, needs-based allocation of funds.

Settings are responsible for using the top up funding they receive, to support the delivery of provision within the EHC Plan, through developing resources, building capacity, and enhancing staff expertise to meet the individual needs of a child or young person.