Better support for your child with SEND in Kent
We’re working with The Education People (TEP) to improve how children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are supported in early years settings like nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders.
We’re doing this by working closely with you, your child’s early years setting, and local services to make sure your child gets the right support, in the right way, at the right time.
Why things are changing
After listening to families and reviewing how SEND support works in Kent, these changes aim to:
- make support easier and fairer to access
- create a simpler, more consistent system
- help children achieve better outcomes
- ensure support is available across all areas of Kent.
What’s changing and how it helps your child
Providing a named contact for every setting
Your child’s nursery, pre-school or childminder will have a named adviser from the Early Years Quality Team or TEP’s Childminding Quality and Sufficiency Team. They will offer support directly and no formal referral is needed.
If your child’s childminder is registered with an agency, they won’t have a named contact but can still get help by contacting the Childminding Quality and Sufficiency Team.
Development of an Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) document
This new guide explains what support all early years settings should offer to support every child. It includes practical strategies and activities to help your child learn and feel included.
You’ll be able to access it on the SEND Information Hub, and there will be workshops and training for parents and carers. Family Hubs will also help explain what support is available.
Targeted support from SEND practitioners
SEND Support and Inclusion Practitioners (previously known as SENIF practitioners) will work directly with your child if they need more focused help, on an individual basis or with small groups of children with similar needs. They will set individual goals and offer advice to early years settings to help your child make progress.
Specialist support in your child’s setting
If your child needs specialist nursery support, it will now be provided in their usual setting. This means less disruption for your child and more confidence for staff to support their needs.
Specialist teachers
These teachers will continue to support your child’s move from pre-school to reception. They’ll also coach staff and offer tailored training to help meet your child’s needs.
How your child’s setting can ask for support
Your child’s setting will speak to their named adviser. If more help is needed, the adviser will request support from the Early Years Professional Resource Group (EY PRG), a team of experts from different support services who meet each term to decide the best support for each child.
Other support available for your child
Your child’s early years provider can use a range of tools to support themselves in helping your child, such as:
- a new support plan that clearly shows what help is being given
- small Steps of Progress Tracker to share updates about your child's progress with you
- a simplified SENIF request form to apply for funding if eligible.
How these changes will affect your child
Support will be identified and provided earlier and more quickly, helping your child get the help they need when they need it.
What you need to do
If your child’s setting thinks extra support is needed, they’ll talk to you first and ask for your agreement before making a request through a discussion with the Early Years Quality Adviser or Childminding Quality and Sufficiency Team linked to the setting.
If your child is with a childminder
All early years providers including childminders have access to the same support.
If your child isn’t in a setting yet
You can contact the Kent Children and Families Information Service (CFIS) for free, confidential advice. They’ll help you explore childcare options and find providers that meet your child’s needs.
If you need extra help finding a place, CFIS Specialist Officers offer a brokerage service to support you.
Once your child starts nursery, pre-school or joins a childminder, talk to the provider about your child’s needs. All settings are expected to support every child, and the Ordinarily Available Provision document will help guide them.
Visit childcare and pre-school for more information and guidance.
Who you should talk to if you have concerns
Speak to your child’s Key Person or the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) at their setting.
How you can stay informed about your child’s progress
If your child has a support plan, you should meet with the SENCo or Key Person every 6 weeks. They’ll keep you updated on any new support or advice that could help your child.