Welcome to
Playmates Pre-school Horsham

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The SEND Under 5s process seeks to establish proactive, practical support for families at an early stage, as well as identification of the support needed throughout their early years and into school. The process will be overseen by the Early Years and Childcare Advisers who provide inclusion support within pre-school settings.

The SEND Under 5s support process continues to ensure appropriate discussion, planning and review as well as identifying where further assessment is necessary for children in pre school and eventually school. Whilst some children have ongoing, complex needs which are clear from a very young age, it is important to make decisions about formal assessments at a time when meaningful educational assessment can take place. Earlier identification of need, will enable children to have a more positive experience through their early years which will improve their outcomes at this point and as they move through school.

The SEND Under 5s support process enables West Sussex Local Authority and Health Services to follow to the requirements set out with the SEN Code of Practice. In particular it ensures:

5.15 Where a health body 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.

For every child who is referred to the SEND Under 5s support process the following activity will take place at different stages of the child’s journey from identification of need to starting school:

Stage 1 - Early identification, offer of support – which could include access to local groups, referral to Portage, and/or support to find and access early years provision

Stage 2 - Support in early years settings – including new children identified with SEND once accessing early years. This could include support from Early Years and Childcare Advisors (EYCAs) and Speech and Language Setting Support (SALSS) to improve the quality of provision, implement the graduated approach and gathering of information for further assessment

Stage 3 - Identification of children where it appropriate to go forward for EHCNA and gathering of evidence to share with SENAT or the planning of transition support for children moving on to school SEND Under 5s support will be delivered by local groups including representation from:

 

• Healthy Child Programme (HCP)

• EYCAs

• Speech and Language Therapy Service

• Portage Coordinators

• Other medical professionals

• West Sussex Parent Carer Forum

 

The aim of the group is to identify and provide support to children under 5 with SEND, and their families, in order to improve their outcomes and identify the support they will need throughout their early years and into school.

Process and possible outcomes of the SEND Under 5s support process:

 

• Information about local services

• Referral to Portage

• Support to access early years provision

• Support for the early years setting

• Transition support for children moving to a new setting or school

• Reviewing and gathering evidence to inform next steps which may include a decision to move to formal assessment

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