Children in Staffordshire with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will receive either a matrix level or an Education Banding which determines the level of top-up funding the educational setting will receive to meet the child's needs. This is specified in Section F of the EHCP. 

Staffordshire County Council launched a new education banding tool for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with the aim of providing a fair, consistent and transparent system to calculate top-up funding, based on the individual child or young person’s identified needs as detailed within their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This was utilised between March 2022 and July 2023.

Prior to this, the LA has used a matrix approach to allocate its funding for special schools. Since August 2023, The LA has returned to using the matrix. 

A child's Education Banding or Matrix can be revisited through the Annual Review process as and when needs change.

Further information about the matrix funding can be found by visiting the link Staffordshire Connects | Staffordshire Special School Matrix