10 December 2013 Dear Pathfinders

SEN PATHFINDER PROGRAMME IN 2014-15 We are writing to set out next steps for the pathfinder programme after March 2014. Over the last two years, the pathfinder programme has been instrumental in developing the evidence base on how best to deliver the vision set out in the 2011 Green Paper, and informing the development of new legislation in the Children and Families Bill. We recognise the huge progress that has been made and the significant challenges that have been overcome. Of course there is still much more to do as pathfinders scale up and refine their new approaches. All areas should now be preparing for implementation of the reforms from September 2014 and the pathfinder champion programme has been vital to support non-pathfinders in their early planning. On 9 December, the Minister for Children and Families announced that the pathfinder champion programme will be extended until March 2015. This will ensure support is available for all local areas during the critical period running up to September 2014, and beyond. We have discussed options for 2014-15 with some of you and reviewed feedback from non-pathfinder areas provided through the DfE readiness survey and feedback from champion events. This suggests that we need to increase overall capacity and ensure there is adequate specialist expertise on particular topics, including personal budgets, preparing for adulthood and developing high quality EHC plans. For the period April 2014 to March 2015, we plan to extend the pool of pathfinder champions to increase capacity, so that additional support can be provided to those areas that need it. This will be backed by an increase of up to 50% in the overall funding available to the champion programme, from a maximum budget of 600,000 in 2013-14 to 900,000 in 2014-15. There will be a number of changes from the current programme, including:

To develop the role currently performed by champions with national responsibilities to advise on particular topics, so that expert support can be targeted as needed. It will be possible for some champions only to have a national specialist role, whilst others will provide support on a regional basis. To enable more practitioners outside the LA to be funded to be involved in the work of the champions. This will enable more peer support for other areas, including representatives of early years, schools and post 16 institutions.

All current pathfinders will be eligible to apply to be a pathfinder champion in 2014-15, whether or not they are a champion currently. Mott MacDonald will manage a light touch selection process on behalf of DfE and DH which will run from January to February. Current champions should note that we will expect them to re-apply to be considered for the champion funding for 201415. Timescales for the selection process will be circulated later in December and full details on how to apply will follow early in the New Year. Funding for 2014-15 By March 2014, we expect all 31 pathfinder LAs to be at the stage where they are leading the way as early adopters of the reforms, and all should be offering the option of the EHC plan to all new entrants to the system. However over the coming years they will need to continue to develop and embed new approaches and convert those already in the system to EHC plans. In 201415, all local authorities will receive financial support to implement the reforms through the SEN Reform Grant. The formula for the grant will ensure that all current pathfinder LAs will receive at least the same amount in 2014-15 as they received in 2013-14 as a pathfinder, and all non-pathfinder LAs will receive funding at least as high in 2014-15 as they received in implementation funding in the second half of 2013-14. Only pathfinder champion LAs will receive grant funding additional to SEN Reform Grant, for their work in supporting and advising other areas. There will be no additional funding for pathfinder LAs which are not selected as champions, but they will receive the SEN Reform Grant. In effect they will cease to be pathfinders, and instead become early adopters of the reforms. Support for the pathfinder champion programme and wider implementation We are in discussions with Mott MacDonald about a potential further extension to their contract into 2014-15, focussed on supporting and coordinating the work of the pathfinder champions to non-pathfinder areas, including providing additional capacity where needed. We will let you know when there is further news. CDC will continue their role to co-ordinate the DfEs contracted delivery partners in providing expert support to the champions and other areas. Further information will be shared shortly on a core offer of support from the delivery partners.

The SQW independent evaluation of the pathfinders is contracted to continue until March 2015, which will allow for a further impact report to be produced, based on the experiences of families who receive completed EHC plans until March 2014, and the development of further thematic case study reports.

Thank you again for all your excellent work and we wish you all the best for the festive season.

With kind regards,

Stephen Kingdom, Deputy Director, Special Educational Needs and Disability Division, Department for Education

Caroline Bicknell, Deputy Director, Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Policy Division, Department for Education

Claire Phillips, Deputy Director, Children, Families and Maternity and Health Inequalities Division, Department of Health