SENDIASS guidance for early years

The framework and standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Early Years Foundation Stage Framework

The (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. Early years providers including nurseries, child minders and reception classes follow this framework.

There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

There are 3 prime areas, communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development.

Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are: literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.

SEND support

You may become aware from an early age that your child may have special educational needs or disability (SEND) or your Health Visitor or your childcare provider may raise concerns.

Providers of early years education, funded by a local authority, are required to have regard to the

The SEND Code of Practice states that ‘Providers must have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities. These arrangements should include a clear approach to identifying and responding to SEN.’

Settings should have a designated member of staff who is responsible for coordinating special educational needs provision- This person is called the SENCO. You can ask to speak to the SENCO at your child’s setting if you have concerns about their development.

Every child with SEN should have support. This means help that is additional to or different from the support generally given to other children of the same age. The purpose of SEN support is to help children achieve the outcomes or objectives set for them by the setting in line with the EYFS or reach their developmental milestones. Settings should involve parents in this process.

SEN support is also known as the Graduated Approach/Response. For more information, please see your local authority’s Graduated Approach to SEND:

Graduated Response ��ǻ��

Further information regarding the Herefordshire Graduated Approach in the Early Years can be found here: .

Further information regarding the ��ǻ�� Graduated Response in the Early Years can be found on pages 22 to 38 of: The Graduated Response within ��ǻ��.

Further information on how the Graduated Response could be implemented in ��ǻ�� can be found in the: Individualised Planning Guidance for children with additional needs document (Word)

In Herefordshire, an Early Years Inclusion Support Referral is the second step along the Herefordshire Graduated Approach. When a child is referred, they will be discussed at the Early Years Referral panel and a caseworker will be assigned. The caseworker will support the setting, to consider the provision for this child. For further information speak to the SENCO at your setting.

In Herefordshire The Portage Early Education Programme is also available. This is a home teaching scheme for families with a pre-school aged child (between 0 and 4 years old) who may have SEND. A referral to portage is usually made by health visitors, paediatricians, or physiotherapists. A portage worker from Herefordshire Council will liaise with parents to identify long term goals before starting to take small steps to support the child with their development. The aim of each home visit is to decide on a play-based activity, which is grounded in everyday situations, which the whole family can enjoy and practice together to provide fun and success for the child.

To find out more about portage, take a look at the .

In ��ǻ�� the Early Years Inclusion Process (EYIP) is designed to support settings, children, and families in implementing the graduated response. Typically, health providers will make the initial notification to the EYIP when SEND is identified. However, EY providers can also notify EYIP when the reviews of the graduated response indicate that despite high levels of support being provided or the use of specialised strategies and resources, a child is making limited progress in specific or across all areas of development. For further information speak to the SENCO at your setting.

Please see the frequently asked questions page for more information:

Early Years frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

EHCP

In most cases Early Years Settings will be able to meet children’s individual needs through SEN support.

However, some children may need support that is over and above this and may benefit from an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Prior to an EHC plan being produced, an Education, Health and Care needs assessment must take place to determine whether an EHCP is needed.

The local authority must carry out a needs assessment if they:

believe your child has or may have special educational needs, and
they may need special educational provision to be made through an EHC plan

Settings or parents/carers can request a needs assessment by writing to or emailing their local authority

You can download our request for an EHC Needs Assessment model letter template to help with this.

Herefordshire

Email: senassess@herefordshire.gov.uk
Phone: 01432 383679

��ǻ��

Email: sendassessment@worcestershire.gov.uk
Phone: 01905 845726

In ��ǻ�� you can submit a request for a EHC Needs Assessment via the . ��ǻ�� County Council have produced guides to using the portal and submitting a request for an EHC Needs Assessment. They can be downloaded below:

The local authority will then have 6 weeks to decide whether to carry out a needs assessment or not.

For further information on Needs Assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans please see our SEND Support and EHCPs page.

Funding

For information on support available to help fund your child’s Early Years placement please see the

Every local authority must have an SEN inclusion fund to support early years providers in meeting the needs of individual children with SEND. You can ask your setting for further information on the support and funding available.

Settings are also eligible to receive Disability Access Fund (DAF) if they provide places for any 3 or 4 year-olds who receive (DLA).

Please see the webpage for further information.

For further information on Early Years Inclusion funding in Herefordshire please see .

For further information on Early Years Inclusion funding in ��ǻ�� please see page 124 of the
Graduated Response ��ǻ�� or see ��ǻ��'s Early Years Inclusion Supplement Funding webpage.

Transition

The term transition is often used to refer to the time when children move into education or from one phase of education to another e.g. Early Years to Primary school.

Below is a list of websites and resources to support your child through these transitions:

Check out our SENDIASS Tips for Transition webpage for practical suggestions to help your child(ren):

SENDIASS Tips for Transition

Further information

Below are links to details of the services and support available to parents and families in both Herefordshire and ��ǻ��. These websites include further information on: