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EHCP Banding Redesign

 The focus of the redesign is ensuring that schools and settings receive appropriate funds to support children and young people with an EHCP at all levels of need.

Southwark has been working closely with our key stakeholders (schools, early years providers and parent carers) to develop a system that:

  • delivers a shared understanding of the range and levels of needs across Southwark schools and how that compares with other areas
  • provides a transparent and fair system of resource allocation across Southwark with clear, co-produced system to identify levels of need, provision and appropriate funding
  • supports improvement in the quality and clarity of EHCPs
  • enables schools and settings to evidence the difference that the funding is making to children and young people’s outcomes.

 

In 2025-2026, a substantial programme of audits, validation and moderation activities were undertaken to further test the robustness, consistency and operational readiness of the updated banding descriptors. The audit sample cohorts were drawn from the statutory school age population of children and young people. who attend mainstream schools, resource bases and special schools.

Type of Setting

Number of audits

% of total attending that type of setting

Mainstream

485

28%

Resource Base

112

93%

Special Schools

451

52%

 

Random sampling was used to reflect a broad cross-section of need across settings rather than to be stratified by phase or year group. This approach provided a robust and representative view of how needs are presented across the cohort.

 

In June 2026, Schools Forum agreed to adopt the new banding system across the borough’s mainstream schools (including those with resource bases). The new banding system replaces the old structure from 1 September 2026.

 

The banding framework remains in draft form until August 2027 to allow for feedback from all stakeholders. Feedback will be gathered through contact with schools, A children, young people, and families in moderation sessions and annual reviews; through SENCO training days; and may be sent directly to Southwark via the banding email. Following the testing year (2026-27), the framework will be finalised. Draft Banding Framework.

 

The frameworks for the Early Years and for post-16 settings are still being developed to ensure that they meet the requirements of these settings and the children/young people.