Schools should be receiving their allocated Inclusion Mainstream Funding (IMF) imminently – if they haven’t already done so (funding has been available since June).
What is IMF?
‘Government funding designed to help schools and settings strengthen inclusive practice and improve support for children and young people with SEND and additional needs.’
Inclusive Mainstream Fund (IMF) and Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF) Support | The Thrive Approach
Thrive usefully identifies 3 key points:
- Supports SEND and SEMH provision
- Seven Department for Education (DfE) inclusion themes (more on these below)
- Inclusion Strategy required by December 2026
So – what is it for and how accountable will settings be for the way they use the money?
Here is a snapshot.
‘The funding is for the duration of the three-year spending period. It will support schools to move towards practices that are inclusive by design, providing early support directly to children without the need for diagnosis or statutory process.’
‘Schools will be required to publish an inclusion strategy’
Let’s firstly consider the ‘provision of early support’ aspect: Government documents identify ‘permitted use of funding’.
Here are some soundbites from the themes:
– Address a diverse range of needs
– Up-skilling staff
– Practice and policies supporting attendance or behaviour
– Inclusive environment
– Evidence-based support
– Effective use of data
– Strong partnerships with families
For Soundswell’s Speech and Language Therapists there will be no scares or surprises here, this is part and parcel of what we offer to schools on a regular basis.
Click here for the ‘Thrive’ readiness checklist: Thrive Inclusive Early Years Funding Readiness Checklist.pdf
The ‘new’ thing is that schools will be tasked with publishing an Inclusion Strategy (and the deadline for this is the end of Autumn 2 this year).
The strategy has 5 simple steps:
- Identifying and understanding the commonly occurring barriers to learning and participation pupils face
- Using evidence to consider inclusive practice
- Developing an effective strategy
- Delivering and monitoring your strategy
- Evaluating and sustaining your strategy
At the beginning of each academic year, Soundswell agrees aims and objectives with all our schools. These are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis, and our annual Impact Report summarises activity, outcomes and impact – a perfect fit for the school’s Inclusion Strategy.
Calling all SENDCOS: A Soundswell therapist can you help develop your Inclusion Strategy.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you to make the most of your IMF, take a look at this helpful information and get in touch with us.
