Early Years Funding - Exceptional Needs Funding
Eligibility is when a child accesses a two yer old placement through to the term prior to Reception year entry (i.e. end of Nursery two). Beyond this, requests will be in exceptional circumstances e.g. if a child remains in the pre-school and continues to meet the criteria within Bedford Borough Council’s ‘Guidance on Meeting Special Educational Needs in the Early Years Foundation Stage’.
In order to establish the type of support required, it is essential that the setting provides a summary of need with evidence gained through the “Assess, Plan, Do & Review” cycle, as outlined in the SEN Code of Practice 2014. This should be provided in conjunction with advice from relevant professionals who know the child. Professional advice must be reflected within the child’s IEPs/ Support Plans.
Funding is at a universal rate of £10.86 from 1st April 2023.
Exceptional needs funding is only for the very small percentage of children who have severe or complex Special Education Needs and Disability:
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Children who are likely to need additional support throughout their school career because of a significant disability requiring the support of a multi-disciplinary team.
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Children who demonstrate extreme, sustained / unpredictable behaviour which at times endangers themselves or those around them.
Settings with a child who meets the exceptional needs descriptors are eligible to apply for funding to assist in employing a member of staff (up to a maximum of 30 hours per week for those children entitled to 30 hours three year old Nursery Education Funding and a maximum of 15 hours per week for two year olds.)
The evidence required for each child:
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Please download and complete the Early Years Funding Form by clicking here
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Copies of IEPs/ Support Plans – including the most current and at least one reviewed IEP/Support Plan where possible:
All relevant supporting evidence some examples are listed below if you have any questions regarding evidence contact details are below
An Initial Assessment report (Early Years Support Team),
Record of Visit (Early Years Support Team),
Virtual support and next steps record of consultation (Drop In Consultation report EYST Team) or Advisory Teacher’s Report (Sensory & Communication Support Team)
Speech and Language Therapist report; Physiotherapist report, Paediatric report etc. (Reports must not be more than 12 months old.)
New funding requests:
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Please download and complete the Early Years Funding Form by clicking here and MUST include all professional reports.
‘Continuation’ requests:
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Please download and complete the Early Years Funding Form by clicking here and MUST include reviewed and new IEPs/Support Plans
Funding support is allocated on a termly basis.
How to Apply
Please forward your completed form and supporting evidence be email to earlyyears.sendfunding@bedford.gov.uk
The below teams can be contacted for further advice as follows:
Early Years Support Team 01234 718123
Sensory & Communication Support Team 01234 718122
Early Years and Childcare Team 01234 276179
All applications will be considered at the appropriate Bedford Borough Panel. The panels will make decisions regarding the level of funding available based on the information included within the application.
Please note that the panels are unable to consider requests for retrospective funding. Application deadlines must be adhered to and further information regarding this can be sought from the relevant team.
IF THE REQUEST IS URGENT THEN THE APPROPRIATE TEAM WILL NEED TO BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Who to contact
- Telephone
- 01234 71812
- earlyyears.sendfunding@bedford.gov.uk
Other Details
- Age Bands
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Parents and carers
0-4 years old