How is a child referred to the SEN Early Years Inclusion Service?
Referral process for accessing support.
Can a parent or carer refer a child to this Service?
You cannot currently refer your child to SENEYIS. The Early Years Hub (EYH) is the single point of referral to our service. The referral must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP).
If you have a concern about your child, this should be raised with their teacher or staff at the child’s pre-school setting, or a healthcare professional such as a GP, health visitor, speech and language therapist or social worker, who will be able to provide advice and guidance on the issue.
How is a child referred to the SEN Early Years Inclusion Service?
The year before a child’s final Pre-School Year (2-3 years old)
Children can be referred to the Service from the year before their final pre-school year up until the end of the second term of their final pre-school year. The Early Years Hub (EYH) is the single point of referral to our service. Referral through the EYH must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP) who has received a referral request and report from a Community Paediatrician. If a younger child has received an ‘underage’ place in a statutory nursery, the referral from the EP can be made via the nursery school/unit.
The EYH considers the information provided by the EP and makes an onward referral to the most appropriate pupil support service. A referral will be made to SENEYIS if the child has clearly identified learning needs. The EYH will notify parents or carers by letter or email if their child has been referred to SENEYIS.
Children in their final Pre-School Year (3-4 years old)
The Early Years Hub (EYH) is the single point of referral to our service.
If your child has identified special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and attends a statutory nursery school, or nursery unit attached to a primary school, a referral to the EYH must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP) following consultation with nursery staff.
If your child has an identified SEND and attends a non-statutory pre-school or playgroup, a referral to the EYH must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP) who has received a referral request and report from a Community Paediatrician.
The EYH considers the information provided by the EP and makes an onward referral to the most appropriate pupil support service. A referral will be made to SENEYIS if the child has clearly identified learning needs. The EYH will notify parents or carers by letter or email if their child has been referred to SENEYIS.
If your child does not have an identified SEND but if you have a concern in relation to their learning, you may wish to contact child’s pre-school setting to discuss the child’s needs further.
Parents / carers or pre-school setting staff can talk to a number of professionals for advice including medical or social care professionals. They can also phone the Education Authority (EA) SEND Helpdesk for general SEND advice on 028 9598 5960.
What happens following a referral to the SEN Early Years Inclusion Service?
Once a referral is received a member of the team will be allocated to your child.
Our team member to gather information, discuss what early support available and, in some cases, to arrange a home and/or pre-school setting visit to observe the child. They will also collect information from the staff in the pre-school setting the child attends.
Once all the information needed is gathered, the most appropriate form of support to help meet your child’s current needs will be provided in collaboration with you and the pre-school setting.
Level of support
For many children with SEND, their specific needs can be met within their early education setting or pre-school.
The support provided by our Service is based on the specific needs of each child. If support is required, we can provide resources, training, advice and guidance for parents/carers and pre-school setting staff and, where applicable, support for the child.
Support can be provided with or without a Statement of Special Educational Needs being in place.