Every local authority must have a SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disability) Inclusion Fund for all 3&4 year olds with special educational needs and/or a disability who are accessing their free early entitlement. The free early entitlement for 3&4 year olds is 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year with up to an additional 15 hours per week for parents/carers who are working or in training.
The SEND Inclusion Fund (SENDIF) supports early years providers to meet the needs and support the inclusion of individual children with SEND and/or a disability. SENDIF is for emerging and lower level needs. Children with complex needs are funded through an Education, Health and Care Plan. As with other elements of early years funding, the statutory aspect of SENDIF should apply to children taking up their free early entitlement in any local authority. In Kirklees, SENDIF is also available for 2 year olds who meet the criteria for a free early entitlement of 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year.
What is SENDIF+?
Kirklees Council also have an enhanced non-statutory offer (SENDIF+) for Kirklees parents/carers who are working. This reflects the Council’s continued commitment to ensuring that Kirklees children have the best start in life through early support and making sure that Kirklees working parents and carers of young children with SEND are not disadvantaged in relation to incurring additional costs or experiencing difficulties with locating a setting. SENDIF+ can be requested for:
0-2s where parents/carers are working; and
3&4 years olds where work commitment exceed the 30 hour free entitlement
The Disability Access Fund is for three and four year olds who are taking up their free early education funding entitlement and are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. DAF is applied for and paid to the child’s early years setting. The funding is not eligible to children in a reception class. DAF funding can only be paid to one provider annually therefore if a child accesses their free entitlement at more than one provider, the parents must nominate which provider receives the DAF funding.
Early Years SENDIF and SENDIF + can be applied for by managers and SENCO’s of pre school settings, childminders, private nurseries and school nurseries. This will need to be done with the consent of the parent / carer. Funding decision making group (DMG) meet once a term but new applications may be considered outside of decision making group (DMG) dates.
Email Dewsbury.psychology@kirklees.gov.uk
Telephone 01924 483744