Apply for additional funding for pupils with very complex needs

What ‘top up’ funding is for, who can apply for it and how to apply.

If a pupil in your education setting has very complex needs and requires specialist help to make progress with their education, you can apply for additional funding. This is called 'element 3' or 'top up' funding. 

You must only use top up funding to provide support for the pupil you request it for. This can include:

• therapeutic interventions 
• highly specialised resources, such as social communication and interaction groups, specialised speech and language therapy or IT modifications 

Apply for top up funding

Only the pupil’s education setting can apply for top up funding. 

To apply for top up funding for the 2020-21 school year, you need to:

• use the Bristol Universal Descriptors (BUDS) to identify the level of need (pdf, 351KB) (opens new window)
• use the high needs band levels to identify the band of top up being requested (pdf, 60KB) (opens new window)
• fill in the top-up funding application form (word doc, 92KB) (opens new window)  which includes a costed and evaluated individual provision map proforma
• send it by secure email to SENDTUPanel@bristol.gov.uk,  with pupil’s current evaluated SEND Support Plan and associated professional’s reports or pupil's EHCP, completed Annual Review paperwork held within the last 12 months (due to COVID-19 restrictions, this can be held within the last 15 months) and associated professional reports

Find an example of a support plan on our guide to SEND support

All applications need to include a completed Top Up Funding application form. If you're using a Support Plan template which includes a costed and evaluated provision map it isn't necessary to duplicate by completing the costed provision map proforma, within the Top Up application form.

• read our secure email guidance (pdf, 448KB) (opens new window) .

Your application must be submitted by 4pm, Friday 12 February 2021, but can be submitted earlier to SENDTUPanel@bristol.gov.uk

The application will be assessed by panels held daily from 1 March 2021 for two weeks. All applications will be assessed, including: 

• special schools 
• resource bases
• mainstream schools 

If you're submitting an application to panel, you're expected to attend one of the panel days, email your availability to SENDTUPanel@bristol.gov.uk

All Top Up submissions received, on or before the submission deadline, will be reviewed.

You'll be notified of the decision within 10 working days of  the last panel held.

Upcoming Top Up dates for 2021

May 2021

Applications must be submitted by 4pm, Friday 28 May 2021
Applications will be assessed by panels held daily from 14th June 2021 for two weeks.

October 2021

Applications must be submitted by 4pm, Friday 22 October 2021
Applications will be assessed by panels held daily from 08th November 2021 for two weeks.