Early Years SEN updates

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Early years bulletin

3 November 2021

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Portsmouth Early Years SEND Pathway

An updated version for this year is available on the Early Years training website on the resources page.

View the SEND Pathway


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SEN information, documents and forms are no longer available on the Portsmouth City Council website. You can find them on the Early Years training website on the resources page. You will need to log on to access the page.

You should also be able to find information and documents on the Local Offer website.


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There is a revised version of the Early Years Profile of Need available on the resources page of the Early Years training website. You will need to refer to this when contacting the Early Years Panel, requesting SENDIF+ and for EHC assessment requests.

View the Early Years Profile of Need


Changes to the Early Years Panel

The Early Years Panel (EYP) has been under review resulting in some changes.

You will now make 'Notifications' to EYP (not referrals) which will better reflect its purpose as a monitoring body. Settings along with other key professionals involved will be expected to make any necessary referrals (e.g. to SALT, Portage) directly and not through EYP. The only referrals settings cannot make directly are to the Community Paediatrician for which you will need to contact the Health Visiting Service and to the Educational Psychology Service which should go through EYP.

The Early Years Panel will only monitor children with complex and significant needs who will be scoring 3 or 4 on the Profile of Need.

The Early Years Panel will continue to meet monthly - see dates here.

New notification forms are replacing referral forms - available soon on the resources page on the Early Years training website

View the notification form - COMING SOON!

There is a also a new EYP updates form


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SENCos who have completed the accreditation took part in their first professional forum hosted at Parade Community Preschool. Cathy and her staff talked about their inclusive practice and the delivery and impact of Attention Autism strategies within their setting, with some great demonstrations of bucket time.

The next Early Years accredited SENCo forum will be held at St Pauls Nursery on Wednesday 16 February 2022 at 4.15pm. Book on by emailing EYinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk (only available for accredited Early Years SENCos).

If you are interested in becoming an accredited Early Years SENCo, the next course will be starting in September 2022. Details will be on the Early Years training website next term.


Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment Requests

Now is the best time of year to submit EHC assessment requests for children with complex and significant needs who will be school age next September.

Please refer to the revised profile of need to guide you in your decision. Scores of 3 or 4 indicate that a request is appropriate and of course partnership with parents through the process is essential. We can support you with this decision - email eyinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

The Panel meetings to allocate Special Provision school places start in January. If a child is to be considered for a place at Cliffdale, Mary Rose or one of the Inclusion Centres, the EHC assessment request must be submitted as soon as possible.

There is revised request paperwork which must be completed for any new requests. Please see the resources page of the training website or the Local Offer website. 

View the revised request paperwork


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Look out for our next training podcast available to members on 22 November. Sue Bowler will be giving you some top tips and helpful reminders about completing an EHC assessment request.


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A big thank you to all who returned the EY SEN audits. 92 providers returned the audit by the deadline. So far you have identified 342 children across the city with SEN in your settings. A number of you have requested support. We are prioritising and responding as soon as we can but do contact eyinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk if your request becomes urgent. You can still send in your audits and do please advise us of any relevant changes or new children attending your setting.


Early Years SENCO Network cluster meeting

The next meeting is on Thursday 25 November 1.00pm - 3.00pm and is a live, virtual session through Teams.

Book your place now


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Remember you can contact your EY inclusion team at EYinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

Sue Bowler, Ella Harbut and Hannah Rapley

Any questions about the content of this email? Get in touch