What does the SEND Code of Practice (0-25) and Southwark LA expect from Early Years providers

Southwark’s vision for children and young people with SEND:

Our vision for children with special educational needs and disabilities is the same as for all children and young people – that they achieve well in their early years, at school and in college, and lead happy and fulfilled lives.

The duties set out below are best achieved when parents/carers and all involved professionals work in partnership, and in the best interests of the child. Parents/carers are equal partners in the education of their children and co-working and coproduction are the principles under which the following is expected and required:

  • All providers of Early Years Education MUST have regard to the SEND Code of Practice.
  • All providers MUST follow the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework and the learning and development requirements therein, unless an exemption has been granted.
  • Providers MUST have arrangements in place to support children with SEN or disabilities, including the identification of need and responding to any SEN identified.
  • Needs should be identified and responded to as early as possible.

In addition maintained nursery schools MUST:

  • Use their best endeavours (do everything they possibly can) to make sure that a child with SEN gets the support they need
  • Ensure that children with SEN engage with the activities of school alongside children who do not have SEN
  • Designate a teacher to be responsible for coordinating SEN provision (SENCO role)
  • Inform parents whenever SEN provision is being made for a child
  • Prepare a report on the implementation of their SEN policy, their arrangements for the admission of disabled pupils, steps being taken to prevent disabled children being treated less favourably, disabled access and improvements to be made to this over time.

All early years providers should review regularly the quality and breath of the support they offer or can access for children with SEN and disabilities.

Maintained nurseries MUST cooperate with the LA in reviewing the local provision and developing the Local Offer. The LA can help and facilitate the sharing of best practice in the early years through its training opportunities as detailed on the www.schools.southwark.gov.uk website.