High needs funding arrangements: 2026 to 2027

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 studentplace, pupil and pupilstudent numbers in the school census and individualised learner record (ILR): 2024 to 2025 academic year and 2025 to 2026 academic year

The high needs pupil data showsworkbook shows:

• the number of pupils in special academies and special free schools recorded in the Januaryspring 2025 school censuscensus. (pupilsIt agedalso 4shows the place numbers for the 2024 to 19).  2025 and 2025 to 2026 academic years

• the post-16 high needs student numbers for further education colleges, independent learning providers, 16 to 19 academies and 16 to 19 free schools, as recorded in the 2024 to 2025 ILR R14 data return. It also shows the place numbers for the 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 academic years.years (see the ‘ILR actuals and published places’ tab)

• Wethe issuedpost-16 2024high toneeds 2025student Individualisednumbers Learnerfor Recordspecial post-16 institutions (SPIs) as recorded in the 2024 to 2025 ILR) R06R14 data toreturn. localIt authorities,also withshows the import/exportplace adjustmentnumbers for the 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026 financialacademic year,years in(see Junethe 2025.‘SPI actuals & published places’ tab).