The Early Years Resource Panel

Essex County Council awards Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) and Wraparound Childcare Inclusion Funding (WaCIF) to support settings and providers to meet their responsibilities to provide inclusive practice (Equality Act 2010 and 0-25 SEND Code of Practice 2015).

• SENIF and WaCIF are crucial resources to help settings and providers meet their responsibilities
• the Early Years Resource Panel, chaired by the Early Years and Childcare Sufficiency and Sustainability Manager, reviews applications for these funds
• the Panel considers the child's One Plan and any Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) submitted with the application to determine the appropriate level of funding or resources needed

If an application does not meet the criteria for funding, the Panel can still provide other types of resource such as:

• Inclusion Partner (IP): helps settings fulfil statutory duties for children with SEND and develop inclusive practices; helps settings deliver improved outcomes for children with SEND, through implementation of the person-centred graduated approach
• Early Years Education Partner (EYEP): assists in reviewing and developing all aspects of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision to support all children effectively
• Early Years Intervention Partner (EYEIP): supports settings in understanding and meeting the developmental needs of children with emerging needs. The EYEIP team will help consider areas such as:
  • enabling environment to meet children's needs
  • adult relationships and interactions
  • transitions and routines
  • provision and practice
  • practitioner confidence
  • support you to consider your observations, assessments, practice and environments and to think about how you can make adjustments to meet the children's needs
• the outcome correspondence from panel notifies settings how they can access a non-financial resource

Supporting inclusion across the the early years sector

The Early Years Resource Panel (EYRP) is committed to supporting all early years providers through a strong cohort funding offer.

We meet our duty by providing a range of training, resources and professional support that strengthens practice across the sector and improves outcomes for children.

This support is funded from sources outside the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Early Years Block, which funds the early education and childcare entitlements.

Our universal support offer

Early Years Intervention Partner (EYEIP)

Our EYEIP team works alongside settings to support practitioners to help them meet the needs of children, particularly those with emerging needs.

Making it Real (Raising early achievement in literacy)

We offer free Making it Real (MiR) training to all early years practitioners across Essex until July 2027.

This evidence-based programme supports:

• children's early literacy (pre-reading and writing)
• parents' confidence to support learning at home

WellComm speech and language support

We support communication and language development through the WellComm toolkit.

This includes:

• distribution of the WellComm packs
• guidance on identifying speech and language needs
• practical strategies to support children's communication

How the Early Years Resource Panel operates

The EYPR usually meets on the third Thursday of every month.

Applications for Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) are considered by the EYRP. 

Using artificial intelligence (AI) in applications

Applications must be individualised for the child, provider and capital or revenue project. It must be a true reflection of the child's needs or planned project. 

AI tools may be used to help draft an application, but applicants remain responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is accurate, relevant and based on their own assessment of the child's needs or proposed project. Applications should not consist solely of content generated by AI.

AI review tools may also be used to support the administration and assessment of applications by the EYRP.

AI does not make funding decisions. All applications are reviewed by EYRP members who make the final decision.

If you believe that the use of AI has contributed to an inaccurate or unfair assessment of your application, you can request a review is undertaken solely by EYRP members by emailing EY.ResourcePanel@essex.gov.uk

Personal information submitted as part of an application will not be used to train an AI model.

All EYRP members have signed a declaration confirming that they will not disclose or retain information submitted for the purpose of awarding SENIF, except as required as part of the panel process and in accordance with relevant information handling requirements.

Further information and contact

For more detailed information about the Panel's role, responsibilities and membership read the Terms of Reference (Word, 113KB).

For enquiries about the EYRP, email EY.ResourcePanel@essex.gov.uk

You can also use this email address for queries regarding emergency childcare (for urgent short-term situations where there are no other options available).