Funding and equipment
Area SENCos can advise providers on accessing additional SEND funding and resources, to support children’s needs.
This includes:
- guidance on funding streams
- support with applications,
- access to specialist equipment
Plus resources that can be loaned to settings to enhance provision.
Resources and equipment store
Early years providers can access our resource library through their Area SENCo - we have various resources and specialist equipment that can be loaned to children’s learning and development.
Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF)
The Inclusive Early Years Fund (IEYF) has been introduced by the Department for Education to help early years providers strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for all children, particularly those with emerging or identified SEND. The funding is designed to support sustainable, whole-setting improvements rather than individual children.
Settings can use IEYF to:
- develop staff knowledge, skills and confidence
- strengthen SEND leadership and inclusive practice
- improve learning environments and accessibility
- enhance assessment, planning and early intervention approaches
- build stronger partnerships with families and support effective transitions
IEYF should not be used for:
- one-to-one funding for an individual child
- replacing SENIF, DAF or other High Needs Funding
- meeting short-term staffing pressures
The BCP Area SENCo Service continues to provide advice, guidance and support to help providers develop inclusive practice. Settings may wish to use IEYF funding to implement recommendations from Area SENCO discussions, invest in workforce development and strengthen their SEND provision
Additional SEND payments
Early Years Additional SEND Payments can help a provider meet the special needs of children in their childcare setting.
Payments are made using a three-tier system, based on how complex the child's needs are.
Please refer to our Early Years Additional SEND Payments policy for information on how these are allocated.
How to apply for additional SEND payments
Early years providers apply for Additional SEND Payments on behalf of children, with parental consent, using an online application form.
Applications must include relevant supporting evidence, such as:
- support plans
- assessments
- professional reports
- examples of the graduated approach in practice
All applications are reviewed weekly by the Early Years SEND panel, who consider the information alongside local guidance tools to inform decisions.
Providers are notified of the outcome within 20 working days and are responsible for sharing this with parents or carers.
You can apply by completing the Early Years Additional SEND Payments for childcare providers application form below.
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
This information is for childcare providers. Parents should speak to their childcare provider first - the provider will be the one who applies for the funding.
You can apply for the DAF if you need help making your childcare setting more accessible to children with SEND. The funding could help:
- make reasonable adjustments to their childcare space
- buy special equipment
- get special training to meet the child's needs
Who can get the Disability Access Fund (DAF)
A child will be able to get funding from the DAF if they get a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and also get one of the following:
- the universal 15 hours entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds
- from April 2024, the 15 hours entitlement for disadvantaged 2 year olds
- from April 2024, the 15 hours entitlement for children aged 2 years of working parents
- from September 2024, the 15 hours entitlement for children aged 9 months to 2 years of working parents
Children don't have to take the full 570 of early education in order to get the DAF, as long as they have taken up any amount of the free early education offered.
The DAF is a one-off payment per year, paid at a rate set by central government. It's paid to one childcare provider that has been nominated by a parent.
The DAF is an additional entitlement, which means it is not based on an hourly rate.
Early years providers must identify children who need the DAF.
Please speak to parents in order to find out which children in your setting can get the DAF.
Parents will need to provide evidence of their Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Email a copy of this evidence when requesting DAF to earlyeducation.fundingteam@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
- local authorities will fund early years settings for children eligible for DAF, at a fixed annual rate set by the government
- the DAF won't be offset against any other funding the local authority may ordinarily provide for children eligible for the DAF
- the DAF is payable as a lump sum once a year per eligible child - if a child eligible for the DAF is splitting their funded entitlement across two or more providers, the local authority will ask parents to nominate the main setting
- please note, some parents may wish to wait until they are confident their child will remain attending a setting for the remainder of the year before accessing DAF
- once the funding for the year is paid, it will not be reclaimed even if the child leaves the setting. The new setting will not be able to receive any Disability Access Fund payment until the following year
- if a child receiving DAF moves from one setting to another within a financial year, the new setting is not eligible to receive DAF funding for this child within the same financial year. DAF funding received by the original setting will not be recouped by the local authority
- where a child lives in one authority area but attends a provider in a different local authority, the provider’s local authority is responsible for funding the DAF for the child and eligibility checking
How to apply for the Disability Access Fund
To apply you will need to complete the Disability Access Fund form below and email it to earlyeducation.fundingteam@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
You will need to include evidence that the parent is getting the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
You can also email the team if you have any questions about the fund.