Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
Paragraph: 181
Introduce mandatory SEND training for all ECEC practitioners within the EYFS Statutory Framework.
Recommendation
It is clearly inadequate for only staff with Level 3 qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) to be trained in identifying and supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. There are many other staff involved in a child’s care that could benefit from such training. Therefore, training for ECEC practitioners in identifying and managing SEND, including Speech and Language, Learning Disabilities and Autism, should be part of the mandatory training requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework. We call on the Government to amend the Framework as soon as practical.
Government Response Summary
The government states that updated Level 3 and existing Level 2 qualification criteria and Teacher Standards already include specific modules on SEND identification and practice for early years educators and practitioners. They have no further plans to update Level 2 criteria.
Paragraph Reference:
181
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Committee can be assured that DfE recognises the important role the early years sector plays in the early identification of needs and in building up effective working relationships with parents about their children’s needs. Government understands that it is fundamentally important that SEND is identified early to enable the right support to be put in place. We know that effective early identification and intervention can reduce the impact that a special educational need or disability may have in the long term. The newly revised Level 3 early years educator (EYE) qualification criteria, for Level 3 qualifications from September 2024, now includes stand-alone criteria on SEND identification and practice. There are also dedicated criteria on SEND in the Teacher Standards (Early Years), which an individual is required to meet to gain Early Years Teacher Status. The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner Criteria also has a stand-alone section on SEND, including on support, which details the knowledge and skills we could expect of a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner. An individual must meet all these criteria when completing their qualification. They would be expected to provide reasonable support to a level 3 or above qualified member of staff to make assessments regarding children in their care. There are no further plans to update the Level 2 Early Years Practitioner criteria currently.