There are different options available if you're looking for childcare or early education for your child with SEND. You have the same choices and opportunities for your child as other parents, including:
We sometimes refer to these as 'early years settings' and the people who run them as 'early years providers'. Visit the Family Information Directory to search for your childcare options.
There are lots of choices for early education and each will offer something different, so you can choose what best suits your child and family situation. You can find available child minders in your area and vacancies in local nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, by contacting Early Education and Childcare. They can also tell you about funding available for early education and help you to apply.
Funding includes:
All childminders and providers follow the early years foundation stage curriculum. It covers the learning and development of all children up to five years old, and promotes inclusion and achievement. Your child's progress will be tracked and staff will work with you to plan individual targets and learn more about your child.
All providers of early education or childcare must promote equal opportunities for children with SEND so that they make the best possible progress. They must not discriminate and must make reasonable adjustments to include children with SEND. For more information, view the SEND code of practice (PDF).
Your child should have access to quality teaching, stimulating play experiences and interaction with other children. Staff follow an 'Assess-Plan-Do-Review'. This means they think about how to best teach your child new skills, plan their teaching activities in advance and monitor your child's progress.
Your child may also benefit from:
Children with longer-term special educational needs or disabilities may need more specialist help. You can ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment which could lead to your child getting an EHC plan. Your school or setting can request this, or you can request it yourself. If we decide to carry out an assessment, we will work closely with you, your child and the professionals involved. For more information, see the code of practice (PDF).
If your child needs an assessment, they may be referred to the child development team. This includes services such as:
If your child has significant learning and development needs, they may be referred to:
Speech and language therapy drop-in sessions are run regularly in clinics and children's centres in Enfield. You don't need a referral or appointment to see a speech therapist for an initial assessment. You can just go to a drop-in session to see a therapist. If they feel your child needs extra help with language development, they will offer you help and advice. This usually means attending group sessions with a speech therapist. They might also suggest referrals to other specialist services for assessments. This will not be done without your permission. If your child is in school, you can speak to the special needs coordinator (SENCo) about how to access speech therapy.
Children's centres offer opportunities for children under five and their parents to learn, develop and have fun. They provide free courses, workshops and drop-in sessions, which offer advice and support on family services.
Our children's centres are:
If you need more specialist support, you could be referred to:
You can get advice on emotional support from your GP or health visitor. You can also self-refer to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) for counselling.
Speaking with other parents who have children with similar needs may be helpful and supportive. View a list of local organisations or visit Contact.
If your child has autism, you may be able to access:
For more information, visit our autism page.
Sensory impairments, such as a visual or hearing impairment, have different levels of severity. Discovering your child has a sensory impairment can be a lonely time and we hope that the information below will provide you with some help and support.
Our sensory impairment team provides assessment, information and advice to families and children of all ages following a needs assessment. Training and equipment depends on the age of your child, however for very young children the service mostly involves registration and signposting to supporting organisations.
Find out more by visiting MyLife.
If your child is under five and has complex disabilities, health and learning needs you may be entitled to support from a keyworker in the early intervention and support team. The service is designed to support children and young people living in Enfield who require involvement from a large number of different agencies.
For help with transport, Transport for London offer information and assistance for people with sensory impairments.
There are a number of organisations that can provide you with advice and support:
Informed Families can help you to search for childminders, pre-schools and playgroups near to where you live. You may also be eligible for free childcare via the Terrific Twos if your child receives the Disability Living Allowance or they have a Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Children and young people with a visual impairment who attend an Enfield School are supported by the outreach service from Joseph Clarke School (PDF).
There are a number of ways that children and young people with visual impairment can be supported to be at school, such as:
This information has been co-produced with parents of children and young people with sensory needs.
There are a number of organisations that can provide you with advice and support:
Informed Families can help you to search for childminders, pre-schools and playgroups near to where you live. You may also be eligible for free childcare via the Terrific Twos if your child receives the Disability Living Allowance or they have a Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Some specialist schools provide training for parents in British Sign Language at no cost.
Children and Young People who have a hearing impairment and attend an Enfield School have access to a specialist speech and language therapist to support deaf children through the Sensory Support Service (PDF). The service provides information, advice and support regarding educational management and all aspects of hearing impairment. This could include language and communication, listening equipment and social and emotional wellbeing.
They work closely with babies, children, young people, families, carers, staff in educational settings, and key professionals in the NHS and social care. The support offered ranges from weekly to occasional visits throughout the year. The team offers visits to pre-school children and their families or carers at home, their local children's centre or another place of their choice.
All primary, special and secondary schools in Enfield have an allocated advisory teacher who will meet regularly with the SENCo to manage a caseload of identified children. Parents can access support by contacting the service or asking the SENCo in their child's setting to contact us.
The service uses the National Sensory Impairment Partnership to decide on initial support levels for each individual family. The level of support is reviewed and adjusted regularly in consultation with the advisory teacher of the deaf, families, carers and other professionals.
For more information, email hiteam@haringey.gov.uk or contact them on 020 8489 8338.
If you have a child with SEND, choosing a school for them can feel like a big decision. View our transition into school information to find out more about schooling options, how to apply, and ways to get further advice.