Decision details

If a pupil in an education setting has very complex needs and requires specialist help to make progress with their education, the school can apply for additional funding. This is called 'element 3' or 'top up' funding.
The bid is concerned with the additional development and enhancement of a centralised web-based application for the new DSG High Needs Block Element 3 funding process (more commonly known as ‘top-up’).
The conditions of the bid were favourable, and no match funding is required. The primary conditions of the bid are to agree to publish all outputs of the project under open license.
The funding will be used to deliver a project which the Council had already identified as being necessary.

a)To accept funding in the sum of £314,200 following a successful bid to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Local Digital Fund Round 5 to explore the digital build/interface of a centralised special educational needs top-up funding service.
b)To spend the funding award asset out in the bid submission.

Option 1: don’t apply to the fund.
Rejected as the conditions of the bid were favourable in the context of the project i.e., no match-funding required, but sharing of project outcomes is cost neutral and which aligns with organisational values.