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SEND Under 5s & Early Years
Overview
SEND Under 5
The SEND Code of Practice 2015 states in it’s Early Years chapter (chapter 5) that “Where a health body (medical professional) is of the opinion that a young child under compulsory school age has, or probably has, SEN, they must inform the child’s parents and bring the child to the attention of the appropriate local authority.
The health body must also give the parents the opportunity to discuss their opinion and let them know about any voluntary organisations that are likely to be able to provide advice or assistance. This includes the educational advice, guidance and any intervention to be put in place at an early point and before the child starts school. (5.15)
This support can take a number of forms, including:
- specialist support from health visitors, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists or specialist teachers, such as a teacher of the deaf or vision impaired. These specialists may visit families at home to provide practical support, answering questions and clarifying needs
- training for parents in using early learning programmes to promote play, communication and language development
- home-based programmes, such as Portage, which offer a carefully structured system to help parents support their child’s early learning and development” (5.16)
In West Sussex, medical (and other) professionals can fulfil their duty to point 5.15 by making a referral to the SEND Under 5.
SEN and Early Years
The majority of 3- and 4-year-olds, and many younger children, attend some form of early years provision. All early years providers are required to have arrangements in place to identify and support children with SEN or disabilities and to promote equality of opportunity for children in their care. These requirements are set out in the EYFS Framework.
Early Years providers generally have the same duties to provide support for children under 5 with SEN.
Local Information, Guidance and Policies
West Sussex guidance on referrals made to SEND Under 5
Information about different types of need for children aged 0 to 5 in West Sussex
Useful information for transitions from nursery to reception including a helpful tips for developing transition policy and practice.
Information around Ordinarily Available Inclusive Practice expectations for 0 to 5 year olds in West Sussex
SENDIAS factsheet:
Detailed Information and Guidance
Information and guidance from IPSEA about how nursery should support children with SEN.
Further Information
SEND: guide for early years settings – GOV.UK
SEND_Code_of_Practice_January_2015.pdf (chapter 5)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For FAQs around how nursery and schools should support early years, please see IPSEA’s Nursery, school and college FAQs