Information for Parents and Carers
The Early Years Special Educational Needs Service (EYSENS) works with children who have complex and long-term needs which lead to significant delay in engagement and learning. There are different teams in the service.
The Derbyshire Portage Service
Portage home visitors work with children aged 0 to 4-years-old before they attend early years settings or start at school.
For more information, please visit:
Derbyshire Local Offer - Derbyshire Portage Service
Specialist Teaching Service
Criteria
The Specialist Teachers within the EYSEN team support children who attend Derbyshire settings in the PVI sector. These children will have:
- significant learning needs
- significant barriers to their learning and cognitive development.
'Significant' is interpreted by looking at the developmental delay experienced by the child. The use of a developmental profile to support the description of needs in the referral form is essential in referrals.
This work forms part of the graduated response to each child's needs. The support provided by specialist teachers is within the specialist level of the graduated response. This requires that the child has had interventions at a targeted level before accessing this support. Children who are accessing a funded nursery place must be in receipt of Early Years Inclusion Funding (EYIF). This funding will have enabled the setting to support the child through progressive cycles of the 'assess, plan, do, review' approach. Childminders may not have been able to apply for EYIF, however, they can refer a child for EYSEN specialist teacher support if they can evidence their graduated response at a targeted level.
The specialist teacher referral requires evidence of the child's:
- Developmental levels
- Complex or long-term needs which are barriers to learning and cognitive development
- Funding through EYIF if the child accesses a funded nursery place
- And evidence of the setting's graduated response at targeted level to these needs.
Role
Specialist teachers support children in non-maintained early years settings in Derbyshire, as well as two-year-olds in maintained nursery settings. Teachers carry out assessments, set long-term learning outcomes and support the setting to work with the child. The specialist teacher will support the setting to use short term targets through cycles of assess, plan, do and review at a specialist level of the graduated response. Specialist teachers work directly with the child and also with setting staff, giving advice and providing training.
Referrals to the specialist teacher support can be made through the Early Years SEN Panel Referral Form found in the related documents section of this page. Further information and forms can be found by visiting Derbyshire Local Offer - Early Years SEN Panel.
The EYSEN Outreach Team
The EYSEN Outreach team offers support at a targeted level of the graduated response.
The aim of the Outreach team is to improve inclusion and access for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and/or complex needs that present as a barrier. The support will involve both assessment of the child’s needs and upskilling of the EY workforce.
Settings will be required to engage in a whole setting approach to accessing training, following advice, and implementing strategies. Families will be required to engage with the process where appropriate.
It is envisaged that settings who have worked alongside the Outreach team proactively will be well-equipped to meet future needs of children requiring targeted support around SEMH needs without further support.
For further information, criteria for referral and the referral form, please visit:
Derbyshire Local Offer - EYSEN Outreach Team
Help via email
We welcome enquiries from any professional or parents. Support includes signposting to services. We also give guidance on inclusive practice for children with SEND.
Email: EarlyYears.SENHelpline@derbyshire.gov.uk
Training
The EYSEN Service is available for training to support settings, parents, and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Training can be accessed via Eventbrite. Schools can also access training information and courses via the training section of the S4S website. Early years providers can find training courses for staff or volunteers working with children and young people. We also provide bespoke training for whole settings. Please contact any member of the EYSEN team to discuss bespoke training.
Referrals
To make a referral to the EYSEN Specialist Teaching Service or Derbyshire Portage Service, please use the Early Years SEN Panel Referral form found in the Related Documents section of this page.
To make a referral to the EYSEN Outreach Team, please use the EYSEN Outreach Team Referral Form found in the Related Documents section of that page. Support services welcome referrals from professionals.
Contact information
Rebecca Jones - Head of Service
Email: Rebecca.Jones2@derbyshire.gov.uk
Early Years SEN offices
Denby Depot, Denby
Telephone: 01629 533340
Kents Bank Road, Buxton
Telephone: 01629 533487
The Quad, Chesterfield
Telephone: 01629 537692
Email: CS.EYSENService@derbyshire.gov.uk