Early Years Inclusion Advice and Funding

Please refer to the Guidance on the Early Years Inclusion Advice and Funding (EYIAF) panel for information on: 

Use the EYIAF new request form and include requested supporting documentation 

This supports all settings to meet the needs of all children. Settings are able to make an Access to Education request ahead of a child starting their setting to support a child with complex needs to attend. 

Use the EYIAF new request form and include requested supporting documentation 

Where a child has identified SEN needs that require provision beyond the settings universal ordinarily available offer. Settings will be expected to have deployed a graduated response evidenced evidence through the use of Early Years Person-Centred-Plans (PCP).  

You may attend panel for advice, outreach support and/or funding.  

Use the EYIAF review form and include requested supporting documentation 

Allocation of EYIF is usually for one year from the approval date, unless the child is due to commence school. Towards the end of the year of funding, settings are able to ask for a review of the funding. This will be to cease, continue or to request an increase.  

Settings may send a review in to the LA before the end of the year if the child’s needs have changed and/or the setting has new external agency advice which suggests a different level of funding is required. We ask settings to use the funding awarded for a least one term before returning to panel to show evidence of impact of the funding awarded. 

Settings will not need to attend panels for review, but someone from the Early Years team may contact you if any clarification on the request is needed. 

A Presentation Guide is available to support settings preparing to attend panel (please see links to resources below). 

Panel dates for New and Access to Education Requests 

Please return paperwork to NEF@shropshire.gov.uk 

Applications will be triaged and if the requested paperwork and supporting documentation is not included, the setting will be asked to provide this before the request is brought to panel. 

Outreach support for children already with funding 

If a child is already in receipt of EYIF or has an EHCP, a setting does not need to attend panel to request outreach support from our team of Early Years SEND Support Officers. Settings can request this support by completing the referral form found HERE 

Disability Access Fund (DAF) 

Where a child has a disability, they may or may not have SEN however settings are able to claim Disability Access Funding (DAF). Funding can be used to support providers in making reasonable adjustments to their settings and/or helping with building capacity, be that for the child in question or for the benefit of children attending the setting. A child will be eligible if they are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 

Further information on DAF eligibility and making a claim is available via the Disability Access Fund (DAF) page. 

Links to Essential Resources 

Links to other related items