The Notional SEN budget is not a separate budget nor an additional source of funding. It is an identified amount within a maintained school's delegated budget share.

This budget applies only to pupils in reception through to year 11.

The budget is intended as a guide for a school's spending decisions, and is neither a target nor a constraint on a school's duty to use its 'best endeavours' to secure special provision for its pupils with SEN.

The Notional SEN budget contributes towards the costs of special educational provision for pupils with high needs (most of whom will have EHCPs) and up to the high needs cost threshold set by the regulations (currently £6,000 per pupil per annum).