Education - WISENDSS - Early Years

The Early Years Team within WISENDSS supports children and young people with SEND at both an individual level and across whole settings.

The service helps early years settings develop the skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively to SEND, promote inclusion, and support positive outcomes. 

How the team supports

The team works with early years settings to:

• Develop staff skills and confidence in supporting SEND
• Use a graduated response to meet individual needs
• Put in place appropriate provision, strategieds and interventions
• Support inclusive practice

They also encourage a multi-agency approach, working alongside other professionals through:

• Team Around the Early Years (TAEY)
• Team Around the School (TAS)

Settings are supported to use consultation and referral process to identify children who may need additional support. 

Maintained nursery settings

For maintained nursery settings, Early Years staff work closely with the SEN Advisory Teacher. 

Together, they:

• Liaise with the SENCo
• Support the identification and planning for children with SEND
• Provide advice and guidance to strengthen provision. 

School - based nurseries

The SEN Advisory Teacher supports school-based nursery settings by:

• Using planning or consultation meetings
• Working with staff to identify children who may need different levels of support
• Collaborating with the Lead Advisory Teacher to plan next steps

PVI settings and Childminders

For private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings and childminders, support is provided through the Area SENCo. This includes:

• Planning meetings
• Support following a request for involvement
• Help with identifying children who may need additional or different levels of support. 

Email: EYSEND@wakefield.gov.uk