SEND in the Early Years

SEND support is embedded within the Early Help process.  The Early  Help Assessment form will be essential for:

• SENCOs following the Graduated Response outlined in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice.
• Recording evidence of high quality teaching and SEN support in schools and settings using the information and advice set out in Bands 1 and 2 of the SEND Handbook.

When an additional need is identified for a child or young person, whether social, emotional, developmental or educational, an Early Help Assessment form can be started to gather information.  The emphasis is on assessing all aspects of a child or young person's strengths, needs and circumstances, developing a plan to meet identified needs and reviewing progress systematically.

If, following the assess-plan-do-review process, the setting required support from the Learning Improvement Service or the Inclusion Service, eg: early years area SENCO, specialist advisory teacher or educational psychologist to meet the needs of the child or young person then the following should be undertaken:

• Fully complete the EHA form
• Decide on one service to request
• Gain written parent/carer consent
• Send the assessment form to LIS.BusinessSupport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk. 
• Please include evidence of actions you have already taken to support the child and some recent assessments.  Our preferred option is the Early Years Development Journal.  
• Register the assessment with the Early Help Team at: early.help@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

For further information, please view Cumbria's CSCP website.