Area SENCo service
The Area SENCO service supports early years providers in carrying out their duties as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework
Early years providers (including preschools, day nurseries, maintained nursery classes and childminders) must have arrangements in place to identify and support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and must promote equality of opportunity for children in their care.
Expert SEND support when you need it
Our Area SENCOs work alongside early years providers to promote inclusion, support children with SEND, and build practitioner confidence. Through coaching, mentoring, practical strategies, and multi-agency collaboration, we help settings create positive outcomes for every child.
Every early year's group provider has access to an allocated Area SENCO, who offers advice and guidance on supporting children with SEND.
Childminders are allocated on ad-hoc basis, following the referral of a child into the Early Years service. Cross border arrangements are in place with neighbouring counties Dorset and Hampshire, whereby the local authority in which the early years provision is based is responsible for supporting the provider regardless of where a child resides.
Eligibility Criteria
- a child must attend an early year's provider (or due to start) within Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole
- Early years providers must evidence the pathway that they are following (Graduated Response or fast track pathway).
- parents must have given consent for involvement using the parental permission form
Pathways
There are two pathways to follow to request support.
Pathway 1
Use the Graduated Response pathway to the Area SENCO service if you, the provider, have completed two cycles of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle with supplied evidence.
Pathway 2
Use the Fast Track pathway to the Area SENCO service if one or more of the following is true.
A child:
- has a diagnosis
- is known to the Child Development Centre or portage
- is transitioning out of a Dingley’s Promise nursery placement
- has had, or is having, an assessment for significant concern by another professional, including a complete Section 23 notification
- has a placement that is breaking down or the child is at risk of exclusion, despite appropriate support being in place
- is in care, in child protection or on a child in need plan and needs an assessment
- is open to Early Help targeted support teams and needs an assessment
How to request support
Early years practitioners can make an online referral to the service.
Supporting information and the parental permission form should be emailed to eysend@bcpcouncil.gov.uk alongside completing the online referral form.
Contact us
You can contact the Area SENCo team by email at eysend@bcpcouncil.gov.uk