High needs funding arrangements: 2026 to 2027
Information for local authorities, schools and colleges about high needs funding arrangements for the 2026 to 2027 financial and academic year.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
High needs place change process
Read the guidance for an overview of the place change process for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, including how to determine place numbers and a timeline.
How to complete the high needs place change workbook
Local authorities should use these instructions to help complete the high needs place change workbook for providers in their area.
High needs place change digital form guidance
Guidance to help local authorities to prepare and submit their high needs place change digital return
High needs place process: alternative provision free school guidance for 2026 to 2027
Guidance on completing and returning the AP free school high needs places workbook.
High needs student and pupil numbers 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 academic year
The high needs pupil data shows the number of pupils in special academies and special free schools recorded in the January 2025 school census (pupils aged 4 to 19).
It also shows the place numbers for the 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 academic years.
We issued 2024 to 2025 Individualised Learner Record (ILR) R06 data to local authorities, with the import/export adjustment for the 2025 to 2026 financial year, in June 2025.