Schools' Financial Support Panel
Background
The Scheme for Financing Schools (April 2018) applies to all Southwark maintained schools and makes it clear that it is the duty of each governing body (or other relevant body) to ensure that the school plans and conducts its affairs in order to remain solvent, to apply good financial management practice and follow best value principles in their expenditure.
It is recognised, on occasion, there may be unforeseen or additional costs, which can place additional pressures on a school budget. In these instances, schools (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria) are able to request additional financial support through one of two funds: the Schools Financial Contingency and the Falling Rolls Fund.
About the fund
Southwark maintained schools elect to contribute to the fund.
Southwark Schools’ Forum has the discretion to allocate funds for financial support to the funds. This is reviewed on an annual basis.
Southwark Schools’ Forum has delegated responsibility to the Schools’ Financial Support Panel (SFSP) to act on its behalf.
The Head of Schools’ HR will oversee the budget of the contingency on behalf of the Southwark Schools’ Forum. The Head of Schools’ HR has delegated authority from the Forum to authorise requests for financial assistance up to the value of £5,000 on behalf of the Panel from the contingency.
The Terms of Reference of the Schools' Financial Support Panel can be found here (pdf, 246kb).
Who can apply for funding?
Maintained schools, in financial difficulties, who have contributed to the contingency fund can request support from the Panel. All schools including academies can apply to the falling rolls fund.
Maintained schools, where there are no financial difficulties and balances are sound, are NOT eligible.
Dates for 2025/56
| Implementation date | Category of staff - notice | Paperwork submitted and panel to review documentation | Confirmed date | Time | Decision | Commencement of restructure process |
Applicable for: |
| For those who are doing a support staff restructure for 5 January 2026 and are willing to pay in lieu (have missed summer term deadline) | Support Staff with PILON to be paid | w/c 8 September 2025 | 15th September 2025 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 week of the panel | w/c 22nd September 2025 | For those who are doing a support staff restructure for 6th January 2025 and are willing to pay in lieu (have missed summer term deadline). |
|
For effective date 13 April 2025 (beginning of summer term) for teachers with 12 weeks/those who want to give 12 weeks notice |
Teaching Staff / Support Staff with MAX 12 weeks notice | w/c 13th October 2025 | 20th October 2025 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 working week of the Panel | w/c 3rd November 2025 |
For effective date 22nd April 2025 (beginning of summer term) for teachers with 12 weeks/those who want to give 12 weeks notice. |
|
For effective date 13 April 2026 (beginning of summer term) for those teachers with 8 weeks of notice or less and support staff with less than 8/9 weeks notice/if school is prepared to pay in lieu |
Teaching Staff who have only 8 weeks notice/Support staff who can be paid in lieu/Support staff with 8 weeks or less notice | w/c 10th November 2025 | 17th November 2025 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 week of the Panel | w/c 1st December 2025 | For effective date 22nd April 2025 (beginning of summer term) for those teachers with 8 weeks of notice or less and support staff with less than 8 weeks notice/if school is prepared to pay in lieu. |
| For effective date 1 September 2026 (teachers or 12 weeks notice) | Teaching Staff / Support Staff with MAX 12 weeks notice | w/c 2nd February 2026 | 9th February 2026 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 week of the Panel | W/C 2nd March 2026 | For effective date 1st September 2025 (teachers or 12 weeks notice). |
| For effective date 1st September 2026 if support staff and willing to pay in lieu and will start consultation in week of 20th April instead | Support Staff with PILON to be paid | w/c 16th March 2026 | 23rd March 2026 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 week of the Panel | By w/c 20th April 2026 | For effective date 1st September 2025 if support staff and willing to pay in lieu an will start consultation in week of 22nd April 2025 instead. |
| For effective date 4th January 2027 | Teachers and Support Staff | w/c 1st June 2026 | Monday 9th June 202 | (9.30am - 10am: pre-meet) / 10am - 12pm | within 1 week of the Panel | By w/c 22ndJune 2026 | For effective date 5th January 2026. |