Alliance publishes new guide on SEND Code of Practice for Early Years

29th August 2014

The Pre-school Learning Alliance has published a comprehensive guide to the new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice for early years providers.

The SEND Code of Practice for the Early Years (2014) provides non-maintained early years providers with an overview of the main changes to the SEN framework, and explores how providers can meet the new requirements and apply good practice in conjunction with existing legislative and policy requirements.

Readers will be guided through the roles and responsibilities of key staff, the Local Offer, capturing and reviewing children’s learning and development and improving outcomes, applying the graduated approach through a continuous cycle of assess, plan, do and review, the Statutory Education, Health and Care Assessment and Plan. A number of template documents to assist practitioners in delivering practices in line with the Code are also provided and include and SEN Action Plan, Record of Concern template, Recording and Reviewing sheets and an individual health plan.

The Alliance is also delivering a series of one-day workshops to inform and help prepare local providers to implement the reforms. Practitioners interested in attending a Special Educational Needs Workshop: A Briefing for Everyone should contact the Alliance training centre at training.centre@pre-school.org.uk.

ABOUT THE SEND CODE

The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice (DfE & DoH 2014) marks the first major change to SEN provision since 2001. The reforms seek to ensure that children, young people and their parents are able to participate equally in decisions about local services, and to improve education and outcomes for children and young people.

All early years providers in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors, which are funded by the local authority, are required to have regard to the Code. With the majority of three and four-year-olds, and many younger children, attending some form of early years provision, early years providers and educational settings should have arrangements in place that include a clear approach to assessing SEN. This should be part of the provider’s overall approach to monitoring the progress and development of all children.

FURTHER INFORMATION

1) SEND Code of Practice for the Early Years (Price for Alliance members: £11.95; Price for non-members: £15.95)
How to order:

2) Special Educational Needs Workshop: A Briefing for Everyone
How to book:

For further information, please

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Notes for editors

  1. The Pre-school Learning Alliance is the largest voluntary sector provider of quality affordable childcare and education in England.
  2. Through direct provision and its membership of 14,000 nurseries, sessional pre-schools and parent and toddler groups, the Alliance supports over 800,000 children and their families in England. The Alliance also develops and runs family learning programmes, offers information and advice, runs acclaimed training and accreditation programmes and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice.
  3. For information about the Pre-school Learning Alliance, visit our website:

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