SEND Information and Resources

Overview

There is flexibility in how the programme can be delivered to children with SEND or additional needs. Key considerations include:

• identifying the most vulnerable children, young people and families
• making decisions and, where appropriate, delegating responsibility for decision making to different parts of the system to enable responsive support
• engaging regularly with families to understand changing needs
• being flexible in supporting families
• ensuring staff are trained, supported and equipped to provide flexible and responsive care in line with government guidance
• maintaining trust and confidence in staff from a parent perspective
• whether the food offer takes account of specific dietary and sensory needs

Risk assessments are an important part of this provision and should be used as an enabler to provide support rather than a barrier. A good risk assessment should encourage creative solutions and prevent withdrawal of support for children, young people and families who are particularly vulnerable or at high risk.

Some different models might include:

• stay and play sessions, which allow children with SEND to benefit from enriching activities accompanied by a parent or carer
• family day trips
• providing sessions or activities that are shorter than 4 hours

DfE has published a toolkit for creating inclusive provision for providers of wraparound childcare, free breakfast clubs and holiday activities and food programmes, developed in partnership with Mott MacDonald and Nasen. The Creating Inclusive Provision toolkit is an interactive digital toolkit developed to support schools, providers, and local authorities in creating inclusive provision that is accessible to families of primary aged children with SEND.