Contact the SEN Early Years Service
The SEN Early Years Service can be contacted for advice and information specific to pre-school children who have, or may have, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Making a Referral for SEN Early Years Support
Referral process for accessing support.
Making A Referral
A request for Stage 2 provision begins with a decision either at a Stage 1 review (in the case of children in an education setting), or, following discussions between pre-school staff, EA support staff and parents, that Stage 2 provision may be necessary. For children attending a playgroup or below nursery age, this discussion will take place with a Community Paediatrician.
To help inform the nursery’s deliberations, the nursery should review the actions which have been taken against the Stage 1 to Stage 2 School Checklist at Annex 3 d) for nursery/nursery classes.
Educational settings are reminded of the graduated response to supporting their children with SEND under the new SEND Framework and SEND Code of Practice: Identification, Assessment and Provision by Schools:
Referral Pathway
1 Educational Psychologist consults with pre-school setting staff / Community Paediatrician
The Educational Psychologist consults with the nursery staff or Community Paediatrician to determine if a referral is required and gathers relevant information to send to the Early Years Hub.
2 Early Years Hub
The Early Years Hub will review the information and make an onward referral to the most appropriate pupil support service. A referral will be made to SEN EYIS if the child has clearly identified learning needs. The EYH will notify the parent or carer by letter or email if their child has been referred to SEN EYIS.
3 Next Steps
Once a referral is received a member of the team will be allocated to the child and will contact the parent or carer to gather further information to help inform and guide the most appropriate form of support, which is needs led.
The Early Years Hub (EYH) is the single point of referral to our Service.
If the child has identified special educational needs and disability (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 the child has an identified SEND and attends a non-statutory pre-school setting or playgroup, a referral to the EYH must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP) who has received a referral and report from a Community Paediatrician.
The EYH will consider the information provided by the EP and make 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.
A designated member of SENEYIS will get in touch with the parents or carers to gather information and discuss early support available. The assigned team member may arrange a home or pre-school setting visit to observe the child, gather information and complete a baseline assessment. This assessment informs and guides appropriate support, which is needs-led.
Making a Referral for Autism Support – Early Years Children
A request for Stage 2 provision begins with a decision either at a Stage 1 review (in the case of children in an education setting), or, following discussions between pre-school staff, EA support staff and parents, that Stage 2 provision may be necessary. For children attending a playgroup or below nursery age, this discussion will take place with a Community Paediatrician.
To help inform the nursery’s deliberations, the nursery should review the actions which have been taken against the Stage 1 to Stage 2 School Checklist at Annex 3 d) for nursery/nursery classes.
AAIS Referral Pathway – Early Years
1 Educational Psychologist consults with pre-school setting staff / Community Paediatrician
The Educational Psychologist consults with the nursery staff or Community Paediatrician to determine if a referral is required and gathers relevant information to send to the Early Years Hub.
2 The Early Years Hub will review the information and tirage will take place with the EY team.
3 Next Steps
Once a referral is received an EY member of the team will be allocated to the child and will contact the parent or carer to gather further information to help inform and guide the most appropriate form of support, which is needs led.
The Early Years Hub (EYH) is the single point of referral for AAIS early years support.
If the child has identified special educational needs and disability (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 the child has an identified SEND and attends a non-statutory pre-school setting or playgroup, a referral to the EYH must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP) who has received a referral and report from a Community Paediatrician.
A early years team member will get in touch with the parents or carers to gather information and discuss early support available. The assigned team member may arrange a home or pre-school setting visit to observe the child, gather information and complete a baseline assessment. This assessment informs and guides appropriate support, which is needs-led.