RIASS Redbridge
All children learn and develop at different rates, they have different areas of strength and weakness and different interests at any one time.
A child may have a Special Education Need and/or disability (SEND) if, despite appropriate activities and differentiated planning and support, they continue to experience a greater difficulty than their peers in learning and developing skills.
Although some disabilities and SEN are identified from birth, many are only identified when early education starts. Support with education starts from when these needs are identified.
The benefits of early identification are widely recognised. Identifying additional needs at the earliest point and then making effective provision improves long-term outcomes for children.
Children may have needs in one or more of the following categories
A child may have needs which can span two or more categories, for example a child with hearing loss may also have trouble interacting with their peers and may have some challenging behaviour.
Early years providers are required to have regard to the SEN and Disability Code of Practice 2014 and must ensure that they know precisely where children with SEND are in relation to their learning and development.
The Equality Act sets out the legal obligations of Early Years providers and schools for disabled children, this states:
Many children with SEN may have a disability. This is defined under the Equality act 2010 as “a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial and adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to day activities”.
The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) is the statutory framework for children aged 0-5 years and sets out the arrangements that must be in place to support children with SEN and/or disabilities.
All schools and Ofsted-registered Early Years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschool, nurseries and school reception classes.
RIASS can provide impartial information and support to enable you to make decisions and understand your legal rights around SEN and/or disabilities. We can also provide local and national information on services to access. As well as RIASS there are some other key services within Redbridge that can support you in Early Years.
A referral can be made to the SEYP by health professionals, early years settings, social care, family support workers and parents/carers. The SEYP consists of representatives from the Redbridge Children’s Services team and health professionals.
The panel aims to provide a clear and co-ordinated system of referral for specialist assessment, advice and support for children in early years who may have special educational needs or a disability.
The panel can agree to
RIASS can support you to
The PSHVS is primarily a home-based education service for pre-school children who have special needs. They can offer structured but flexible play based activities and can provide a link between parent and carers and other professionals.
PSHVS can also provide information and support when thinking about nursery, playgroups and schools for your child.
EYAS advises and supports those working with children, within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who have special educational needs and/or disabilities
The service can offer support in the following ways
Children are referred to this service through a referral to the SEND Early Years Panel (SEYP)
You can contact the any of the above Early Year services on 020 8708 4525/3369