Data collected from all Early Years settings in the borough shows that many can support children with a wide range of needs. Early identification is improving, funding routes are being well used, and more providers are planning to expand their SEN offer.

Although demand is increasing, the borough’s childcare settings are responding well to this. However, data from a range of sources shows that more children with complex needs are likely to need places in the coming years. The rising number of children with EHCPs—particularly those with high-level and complex needs—demonstrates a sustained upward trend that is shaping the borough’s future capacity requirements. 

Supply Information

Analysis of data gathered from Early Years settings during the summer term has enabled an assessment of the current availability of SEN places across the borough.

The data shows the current number of children identified with SEND as 649, which can be taken as a proxy indicator of the number of places available (all levels of need) (as of end of summer term 2025)

The main area of need for EHCPs in early years children is speech, language and communication.

Demand Information

To understand the demand for places for children with SEN needs in the borough, data has been collected from other teams and professionals.

The number of EHCPs issued over the last 5 years has been assessed and shows a steady increase in numbers of children with high-level and complex SEN.

Number of EHCPs (EYs) per year - 2021/22 to 2024/25

The Portage service supports pre-school children with complex needs and has shared data regarding their current caseload. This data will inform strategic planning for future early years places, ensuring appropriate provision is available when families feel their children are ready to attend an early education setting.

Section 23 notifications also identify children with high or complex SEN.

Section 23 is a notification raised by a health professional:

If through direct assessment with the child and parents, health professionals identify that a child under compulsory school age has or probably has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), they must inform parents and the Local Authority, to facilitate early support arrangements.”

This data will also help to inform strategic planning for future early years places. Parents of children with a Section 23 notification are contacted to offer support in finding a suitable early year setting.

SEN children by age not currently in a setting

The highest recorded types of need for SEN children not currently in a setting are speech and language delay, social communication and Global Developmental Delay (GDD).

Additional data on future needs has also been gathered during termly visits by Early Years Officers in the Autumn term as well as the use of a survey completed by childminders. This includes information on waiting lists for children with higher level SEND needs from all Early Years settings, as well as any plans these settings may have to expand their SEN provision over the next 2–3 years.

The information collected shows that two thirds of settings in the borough are equipped to support children with high level needs and 20% of these have plans to expand their SEN provision in the next 2-3 years. Settings were asked to report the types of high level needs they currently support or will be supporting in the future as per their waiting lists. The highest level of need is reported as ASD/Social communication followed by speech and language needs and social, emotional, mental health concerns (SEMH).

Funding Information

An analysis of Early Years Inclusion Funding over the past five years reveals a growing number of children presenting with higher levels of special educational needs (SEN).

Bands 1-3 are low and emerging needs, Band 3 being the greater need. Band 4 is awarded to children with the highest level of need (High needs Funding).

EY inclusion funding/HNF awarded over 5 years

EYIF compared to EHCPs issued