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Special Educational Needs (SEN) Premium

The Early Years and Childcare Funding Panel and the Pre-school Allocations Panel are changing their names to The Early Years Resource Panel in preparation for the introduction of the new Essex approach to top-up funding in September 2024. You will see this name change gradually reflected across our website, correspondence and communications. The Early Years Resource Panel will be reviewing applications for SEN Premium from September 2023.

SEN Premium is enhanced funding for childcare settings to help meet a child’s needs. It is only for children who get the funded early education entitlement for three-and four-year olds. This would be up to 15 hours or 30 hours if the child is eligible.

The SEN Premium would start from the term after the child's third birthday.

Qualifying for the SEN Premium

You may get this funding if:

  • the child in your setting has SEN or a disability
  • the Health Authority sends us a Section 23 Notice
  • the child also gets the funded early education entitlement for three-and-four-year olds

How to use the SEN Premium

You can use this funding:

  • to give full support to the child
  • to help the child to feel included
  • to help the child to take part in activities
  • for resources that support the child to learn and develop
  • for cover so that key staff can attend meetings with the child's parents and professionals

How to apply

You don’t have to apply for the SEN Premium. The Early Years Resource Panel (previously the Preschool Allocations Panel) will decide if the child needs it. We will ask you for more details about the child's needs when we receive a Section 23 Notice. 

You will need to email the preschoolpanel@essex.gov.uk with a copy of your one planning AND a fully completed cover form. 

Evidence must show:

  • the child's needs in all areas of learning and development
  • the SMART outcomes, targets and small steps to achievement that are in place
  • any reasonable adjustments made, and support put in place with details over what period of time and what progress the child has made as a result
  • an overview of discussions you've had with the child's parents
  • an overview of discussions you've had with other professionals involved with the child

Next steps

When we receive your evidence:

  • our Early Years Resource Panel (Preschool Allocation Panel) will decide if the child needs the SEN Premium
  • we will send a letter after headcount to the child's parents to confirm we have allocated the SEN Premium
  • we will send you a letter after headcount to let you know how much you will receive that term
  • after headcount day we will make the payment for all the FEEE hours you are claiming
  • the SEN Premium can start from the term after the child's third birthday

What to do to continue getting the SEN Premium

We will need to decide if you can carry on receiving the SEN Premium each term. If you want funding to continue you must email a reviewed copy of your one planning along with a fully completed cover form to preschoolpanel@essex.gov.uk

It must show:

  • the targets you have been working on
  • any progress made
  • how you have supported the child in a whole group, small group and individual situation

You need to send this information at the end of each term to receive SEN Premium for the following term.

For further information please see early years foundation stage (EYFS) special educational needs and disability (SEND) guidance. 

 

More support

For enquiries email preschoolpanel@essex.gov.uk

See our range of introductory training courses to help develop your understanding of SEND.