SEND in the Early Help Process 2018

SEND support is embedded within the Early Help process.  The Early  Help Assessment form will be essential for:

• SENCOs following the 'Graduated Response' outlined in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice (DfE 2015).
• Recording evidence of high quality teaching and SEN support in schools and settings using the information and advice set out in Bands 1 and 2 of the Cumbria SEND Handbook.

When an additional need is identified for a child or young person, whether social, emotional, developmental or educational, an Early Help Assessment form can be started to gather information.  The emphasis is on assessing all aspects of a child or young person's strengths, needs and circumstances, developing a plan to meet identified needs and reviewing progress systematically.

If, following the assess-plan-do-review process, the setting required support from the Learning Improvement Service or the Inclusion Service, eg: early years area SENCO, specialist advisory teacher or educational psychologist to meet the needs of the child or young person then the following should be undertaken:

• Fully complete the EHA form
• Decide on one service to request
• Gain written parent/carer consent
• Send the assessment form to the local SEND office with supporting evidence.
• Register the assessment with the Early Help Team at: early.help@cumbria.gov.uk

Please note that if you wish to refer to Health then you will need to access the relevant Health referral documentation: https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/cumbria/fsd/files/child_physical_health_request_assessment_form.doc

To download documents and for further information, please view Cumbria's LSCB website: http://cumbrialscb.com/LSCB/earlyhelp.asp