Who is eligible for SENIF
SENIFs are aimed at children with emerging special educational needs or those that need a lower level of SEND over a longer period of time.
A child may be eligible for support from SENIF if they:
- get funded early learning
- go to a childcare provider in Royal Greenwich
Early years childcare providers include:
- childminders
- nurseries and schools
- other private, voluntary or independent early years providers
If a child has more complex needs
If a child has more complex needs and already has an EHCP, they’re eligible to receive funding through the high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).
Children with established SEND needs can apply for an EHCP. This is often once they have had a period of support in school/nursery.
There are different processes in place in neighbouring boroughs.
Who is not eligible
Children in reception who are attending school are not eligible.
Once a child has an EHCP, they’re eligible to receive funding through the high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).
Children living in Royal Greenwich
A professional can apply for SENIF for children:
- with have more complex needs
- that may need an Education Health and Care Plan in the future
If a higher level of funding is agreed, the setting should work towards making a request for an EHCP assessment. They should do this as soon as they have the required evidence of how the child responds to interventions.
Children living in another borough
A professional can apply for SENIF for children:
- with complex needs
- that may need an EHCP in the future
If a higher level of funding is agreed, the setting should work towards requesting a Needs Assessment (NA1) from the Local Authority the child lives in. They should do this after they've tried a 12 week cycle of intervention at the higher level.
If this does not happen, we will assume that the setting does not think the child needs this level of support on an on-going basis. In this case, the level of funding will reduce or stop.
Find out more about the process of neighbouring boroughs: