Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 36
36
Accepted
Inconsistency in SENIF and Disability Access Fund eligibility criteria undermines equitable early years SEND access.
Conclusion
There is a clear need to improve the consistency and effectiveness of the SENIF across early years provision. At present, practice varies significantly between local authorities, with differences in how funding is managed and allocated. This means there is inconsistency in access to early years SEND support. Such variation undermines the principle of equitable access to early education and can place additional pressure on providers in areas with less generous or less flexible SENIF arrangements. In addition, the eligibility criteria for the Disability Access Fund limits its effectiveness. Tying this funding to Disability Living Allowance, creates an unnecessary barrier to eligibility that risks excluding the very children the funding was created to help and shifts the burden of unmet need onto providers and families. (Conclusion, Paragraph 168)
Government Response Summary
The government commits to increasing funding for providers to support children with SEND and making improvements to how funding is allocated as part of wider SEND reforms, aiming to improve inclusion and early intervention.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
increasing the funding available to providers to support children with SEND and make improvements to the way funding is allocated as part of wider reforms to the SEND system. Improved funding will provide additional resources for providers to better support inclusion and early intervention to prevent the escalation of needs.