FUNDING Genie
Fair, transparent, defensible SEND funding decisions
Funding Genie helps local authorities allocate top-up funding consistently and transparently, based on assessed need.
It replaces manual, inconsistent processes with a clear, auditable and evidence-led approach - giving professionals confidence and leaders control.
Why SEND funding decisions are under so much pressure
The result is a system that is:
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Hard to defend
Hard to explain
Hard to control
Hard to sustain
Needs-led funding
Funding Genie supports a consistent, evidence-based approach to SEND funding decisions.
Delivering consistent, transparent funding outcomes for every child.
The problem isn't the people. It's the method.
Most SEND funding processes were never designed for today's scale or complexity.
Costed provision maps and manual justifications:
What's missing is a shared, needs-based decision tool
Funding Genie provides the structure that teams need to make fair, defensible decisions at scale - without the burden of manual processes.
A consistent approach for every funding decision
With Funding Genie, teams can use Imosphere’s proven Needs Profile and Banding - or bring their own local framework, fully digitised and embedded.
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Build a structured needs profile
For each child or young person, based on the four education areas of need, using our Funding Genie Needs Profile or local banding frameworks.
Use a consistent algorithm
To assess need with agreed criteria.
Automatically calculate an education band
Based on assessed needs.
Apply locally agreed values
To generate funding levels.
Produce a clear rationale
For every decision made.
Monitor patterns and trends
Across cohorts and settings.
Everything is:
What councils achieve with Funding Genie
Fairer, more consistent funding decisions
Fewer disputes and challenges from schools
Stronger confidence in panels and leadership
Better control of SEND budgets and future risk
Significant reductions in admin time
Clearer evidence for inspection and audit
Councils using Funding Genie have:
Allocated more consistently
Consistency in banding decisions
Preventative spend per 1,000 children per year
From EHCP to funding, without the disconnect
When used alongside EHCP Genie, Funding Genie creates a direct, transparent link between:
Assessed needs → EHCP content → Funding decisions
The results:
Start small. Prove value. Scale with confidence.
Funding Genie is not something you have to "buy into" all at once.
Many councils start by:
Using it for insight and modelling
Understand your current patterns of need and identify opportunities.
Testing consistency against current decisions
Compare outcomes and validate the framework.
Building confidence in the framework
Work with teams to refine and adapt to local context.
Phasing into live decision-making
Roll out when you're ready, at your own pace.
Every step delivers value on its own
Built with councils, proven in practice
Funding Genie is used by multiple local authorities and is part of the SEND Genie Toolkit - the only integrated platform linking EHCP quality, funding decisions, and system-wide oversight.
Multiple councils
Using Funding Genie across England.
27,000+
Children and young people assessed.
15+ years
SEND funding modelling experience.
Funding Genie has been shaped by
Over 22,000 real cases
More than 15 years of SEND funding modelling experience
Continuous collaboration with SEND professionals
Working with councils for over 35 years
The tool has streamlined our processes, significantly reducing the time spent on funding negotiations and enabling more informed, data-driven decision-making. With user-friendly dashboards and targeted audits, it has also improved satisfaction among schools.
Funding Genie has proven to be an invaluable asset, enhancing confidence in our funding practices and equipping us to better meet the changing needs of our community."
See what needs-based SEND funding looks like in practice
Whether you're dealing with overspend, disputes, inconsistency, or lack of transparency, we'll help you explore a safer, more sustainable approach.
Solutions that put people first in social care and SEND.