SENIF rates
Information about SENIF budget and rates
The current budget for Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) for the 2025/2026 academic year is £2,966,105.
This is funded from the Early Years Block. The budget holder is Carolyn Terry, Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency and Sustainability Manager. Carolyn is also the Early Years Resource Panel Chair.
Funding from 1 April 2026
From Wednesday 1 April 2026, funding will be awarded at the following rates for all providers:
SENIF band awarded at panel |
Rate per hour |
| Universal band | Needs can be met with high-quality practice |
| AN/SEN support band |
Needs can be met within ordinarily available resources and are not eligible for funding but may be allocated support from an Essex County Council professional. Visit The Early Years Resource Panel - Early years and childcare for more information |
| Low | £4.86 per FEEE hour claimed on headcount or amendment task, to a maximum of 30 hours |
| Medium | £6.07 per hour attended |
| High | £9.11 per hour attended |
For further information about how panel bands applications and the criteria for low, medium and high banding, review the banding descriptors. (PDF, 127KB)