Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 73
73
Accepted in Part
Refocus High Needs Block funding towards early intervention and identification in mainstream settings.
Conclusion
The High Needs Block should be refocused to enable and incentivise earlier intervention. Currently, a significant proportion of this funding is directed towards supporting high-cost, specialist provision once needs have escalated. While such provision is vital for some, a more preventative approach is needed to reduce long-term need and improve outcomes. Redirecting a greater share of High Needs funding towards early identification and support within mainstream settings and through multi- agency services will help address emerging needs and ensure that good support is put in place at the outset. (Recommendation, Paragraph 256)
Government Response Summary
The government details specific investments in early intervention programs and strategies, including funding for early language leads and extending proven programs, but does not explicitly commit to refocusing or redirecting High Needs Block funding as recommended.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Supporting children with SEND is central to the early years agenda. The government recognises the important role the early years sector plays in early intervention to ensure the right support is put in place for children as soon as possible, and that every child, including those with SEND, should have access to a high-quality early years place that meets their individual needs and nurtures their development. We are making changes to improve the system for children with SEND already. The Best Start in Life strategy means a stronger focus on early identification, inclusive access to early years education, and tailored family support. We are doing this by: • making inclusive practice standard practice, working with early years educators, including Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs), to embed inclusive practice across all early years teaching and qualifications. • 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. • funding Best Start Family hubs in every local authority, with children and family services professionals specifically trained in working to support parents of children with additional needs. This will help identify children with special educational needs and disabilities who may need extra help early on, making links with local early years settings and health services. • funding evidenced-based early language interventions to enable early language development and identify SEND at the earliest opportunity. We will continue to ensure every reception class benefits from fully funded access to proven programmes such as the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) – funding for the NELI programme will continue for a further 4 academic years until the end of AY 2028/29. We will also fund specialist early language leads in local areas to give hands-on support and training to early years educators and settings. Reception staff will also be able to access specialist early language lead support. As set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, building on the successes of programmes such as Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC), we will ensure that education and healthcare providers work together with other local services to plan and deliver evidence-based early interventions for children. An independent evaluation of the ELSEC programme is taking place. This will explore the overall impact of the ‘test and learn’ programme and provide a robust evidence base to inform future decisions and next steps in shaping inclusive education and early support systems across all local areas.