The Early Years SENDCo will:

• Understand the local offer, including the provision that the Local Authority expects to be available from providers of all relevant Early Years education.
• Understand the support available including:
  • education
  • health and social care services for disabled children and children with SEND
  • services assisting providers to support young children with medical conditions
  • childcare for disabled children and children with SEND
  • services providing parents and children with information, advice and support on SEND and disability
  • support groups who can support parent carers of disabled children.
• Link with the local authority to liaise over individual children and links on wider strategic issues such as securing sufficient expertise and experience on SEND and disability locally
• Understand how funding supports settings in meeting children’s SEND and disability.
• Liaise with professionals or agencies beyond the setting, including, but not limited to:
  • SEND support or learning support services including the ‘Local Offer’
  • sensory support services or specialist teachers
  • Therapies such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy
  • support available to parents to aid their child’s development at home, including such services as Portage
  • Independent Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS)
  • Local voluntary agencies that provide support to children and their families.
  • Social Care Services
  • Area SENDCo, inclusion officer, or equivalent where available

View and/or download the full Practice Guidance for Early Years SENDCos