We have a variety of sources of information for Early Years Professionals. Please read below to find the best information for the issues you have.
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework
For Early Years Professionals requiring general support regarding
- Quality of education
- Implementation of the EYFS Statutory Framework
Please contact the Early Years Service, eyservice@cornwall.gov.uk.
Special Educational Needs Provision
For Early Years Professionals requiring advice on:
- Special Educational Needs in an Early Years Setting
- An individual child or groups of children in a setting (where an individual referral is not required)
Please email the Early Years Inclusion and SEND Team at eyis@cornwall.gov.uk.
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External
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Targeted support and advice
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Identifying improvements
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Providing support to meet a range of needs across a group of children
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Early advice and guidance is needed for a child, or children, who may need SEND support (i.e. they may meet the universal or targeted areas of the Graduated Response for SEND. This applies where a referral for an individual child through the Early Help Hub is not being made.)
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Requesting support for the SENDCO. This is to help fulfil their statutory duties to coordinate and provide an effective response for children at their setting.
This could be achieved through a SEND support visit and a Best Start in Life, Team around the Setting Meeting (see below).
Best Start in Life, Team around the Setting Meetings
To consider holistic needs of an early years setting and plan appropriate support. The aim of this meeting is to:
- Ensure the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable children are met
- Identify specific contextual information where additional support is required. This can be for a child or children, or whole cohort groups.
- Agree a clear plan that identifies external support to the school/setting
- Provide advice and guidance, where relevant to the school/setting
Referring individual children
Many children receive appropriate support already. This may be from their Early Years Provider and/or other services. They do not need a referral for further services. If you are concerned about a child’s development or progress please talk to your child’s key person, and their parent(s). You may be the child's key person yourself. The key person will liaise with your setting's SENDCO. It is important that parents work in partnership with their Early Years Provider to ensure consistency for the child.
Parents
If you are concerned about your child's development or progress, speak to their key worker first. They will be able to discuss any concerns with you, and advise you as to next steps.
If your child is not with an Early Years Provider and you would like support or advice please contact eyis@cornwall.gov.uk
The Triage Process
What is it?
The Triage Process reviews referrals promptly, so that appropriate support is arranged in line with the need.
What happens?
Once a referral has been made, the Early Years Inclusion and SEND Service will assess requests for help at triage meeting. Meetings are normally held once each week during term time. The referrer will receive notification of the response within five working days of a referral being received.
Who attends the meeting?
The Triage Meeting is attended by:
- The Lead Education Officer for Early Years Inclusion and SEND
- Service Manager Early Years Inclusion and SEND
- Early Years Speech and Language Therapist
We may invite professionals from other services to attend, where their expert advice is needed. For example:
- Disabled Children’s Early Help Team Manager
- Paediatrician
- Senior Educational Psychologist (Early Years)
What happens during the meeting?
Attendees review the information supplied by the referrer. The members of the Triage Meeting consider these points to make their decision:
- The developmental needs of the child/children
- The experience of staff within the provision they attend
- The level of need evidenced in the referral and how this links to the Graduated Response for Early Years
- The evidence base used in the referral and whether this provides sufficient information
Appeals
If, for any reason, a referrer is concerned at the outcome of the Triage Process, further consideration can be requested. Please send this to eyis@cornwall.gov.uk.
This will be reviewed by the Lead Education Officer, Early Years Inclusion and SEND.
Should an outcome not be accepted, the matter can be escalated for further consideration. This is done in consultation with the Head of Inclusion and SEND and the Service Director (Education and Community Health).