SEN inclusion funding

In Norfolk, we expect all children aged 0-5 to be provided with a standard Universal Offer when accessing education and childcare from providers offering early years provision. For some children they may also benefit from some additional support, which initially will be organised by the provider by optimising existing provision resources and other non-financial support currently available from the Local Offer and other external sources.

Where necessary the provider may seek funding to address the individual needs of children with SEN. The purpose of this funding is to provide additional financial assistance for providers of Early Years to ensure the inclusion of children 0-5 where there is an identified need that is "additional to" and "different from".

Local authorities and providers must also ensure that they meet their duties under the Equality Act 2010 and take full account of the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 and the Local Authority's Funding Agreement when offering early years provision.

Apply for funding

There is one SEND application (Excel doc, 99 KB) for all children in receipt of early education including those with an EHCP. (A new template has been published for Summer 2026, Autumn 2026 & Spring 2027)

There is opportunity to submit a second application for children that commence their early education after the initial deadline or their needs were not identified at the time the first application was submitted.

Before applying for funding, it is important to read the guidance on the application and where required use the banding descriptors:

• EE2 Banding Descriptor (PDF, 209 KB)
• EE3 and 4 Banding Descriptor (PDF, 210 KB)

Funding will be paid once a claim for early education has been processed AND panel has agreed that the information provided to describe need compares with the selected age and banding for each area of development.

To apply for this funding, a termly SEND application (Excel doc, 99 KB) must be submitted that details each child's need by identifying the banding for each area of development and answering a number of statements.

Deadline Dates

The dates to submit applications can be found via the webpage Deadline Dates

NB: Applications received after the initial deadline will be processed as an additional application.

Panel Outcome

Panel will review all applications and may contact the applicant to request further information. 

Applications will be either agreed with an outcome or declined. If the outcome is Decline, the reason will be at least one of the following -

• Applications are incomplete or an incorrect version was submitted
• Early education claims have not been submitted or funded
• The needs of the child are banded "universal" for all areas of development
• The child is not eligible for Early education
• Family consent has not been sought

Funding Awards

Awards are calculated using the number of early education hours funded by the local authority multiplied by the rate for the agreed outcome.  The award will be automatically adjusted if the claim for early education hours increases or decreases or an EHCP is issued and an award of low and emerging was determined.

Details of the rates can be found here.

If you are concerned about the level of additional funding received following the panel outcome, please email  [email protected] with your reasons so that your application can be checked.

Need help?

For further guidance please email  [email protected] or contact  the Early Years Advice Line on 01603 222300.

Requests for specialist equipment is available via a referral for children with SEND.  Please refer to the guidance link below for more information.

 Specialist Equipment EY Providers June 2025 (PDF, 212 KB)

This funding is available to ALL children in receipt of early education and receives disability living allowance (DLA).

The funding is paid as a lump sum annually.

Families must provide a copy of their Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) award letter to prove eligibility to their nominated provider. For the funding to be paid, the award letter must show that DLA will be received during the claim period.

To claim the funding, the provider should send via secure email copies of the parent / carer claim form (Part 2 and 3) and the award letter to the Early Years Finance team (FAO. Early Years Finance Manager) to [email protected] for checking.  Once eligibility is confirmed, the first payment will be released approximately 6 weeks later.

To receive future payments, providers will be required to confirm that they remain nominated by submitting a copy of the current Part 2 and 3 claim form and provide new DLA evidence if applicable.

[IMPORTANT]  Please do not upload these documents via the Provider Portal.

The panel will convene twice a term to consider applications for SEND funding. Please note the Panel date may change, however the deadline date will always remain the same.

Providers are reminded -

• Parents and carers must consent that an application can be submitted and information will be shared on the portal
• Applications are only declined where a child does not meet the criteria
• The funding rate is based on the need determined by the banding descriptors
• The award is based on the number funded early education hours claimed
• More information may be required to determine an award

The termly deadline dates are shared on the application form (Excel doc, 99 KB) and our Deadline Date webpage.
 

Should you require any further assistance please email: [email protected]

What is the SEN Funding

The SEN Funding is a source of funding available to early years providers claiming early education.  It enables them meet low or emerging SEN for funded children.

Purpose of the SEN Funding

All children develop and learn in different ways and at varying rates; however, they will all have areas of strengths and special interests along with areas of weakness. A child may have a special educational need if despite appropriate activities and an individualised support plan, they continue to experience greater difficulty in learning than their peers.

Therefore, this funding if awarded by panel will provide financial support to initiate and deliver the special educational provision that is "additional to and different from" the support made generally available to other children of the same age.

Which children are eligible for the SEN Funding

The fund is to support children who are in receipt of their early education entitlement and have SEN need.

Which Early Years Providers can make a request for SEN funding?

Any provider who has signed the Norfolk Local Funding Agreement and the Local Authority has agreed that Early Education funding can be offered to families.

What can the SEN Funding be used for?

The funding should be used to put in early support to improve outcomes for the child and reduce longer term difficulties.

Examples of how providers can use the fund include:

• Enhance staff ratios within the environment in order to increase the capacity of the children's key person to offer adult focused activities/support specific intervention
• Key persons time to engage with specialist support from outside agencies, such as speech and language therapy, physiotherapy
• Support for co-ordinating key worker duties, such as team around the child
• Transitions to school

The SEN Inclusion Funding will not support

• The delivery of the Universal Offer (standard inclusive practice) offered to all children
• Resources available through the Local Offer
• The cost of resources and/or equipment available via other funding opportunities offered by the Local Authority (this includes third party funding)
• The cost of specialist support from outside agencies that has been privately arranged by a third party
• One to One support (unless specified on an EHC Plan)
• To keep records up to date
• Settling in periods
• Toileting (unless this is related to the child's SEND)
• Attending meetings and training

What if the child is not in receipt of Early Education?

It is not a statutory requirement for any Local Authority to have additional funding available for those children that are not in receipt of the early education entitlement.

Can I apply for SEN Funding if the child has an EHCP?

Yes, providers should include all children with SEN need on their claim provided the child's family have given consent for the application.

What happens if a child leaves during the claim period?

The funding is linked to the child's early education claim and will be adjusted once the portal record has been amended.

What happens when the child transitions into reception class?

Schools receive their SEN funding in a different way to early years. When a child transitions into reception class the school will use the financial resources within their school budget initially and then any additional funding to support the child will be agreed through the schools funding system.

What if a child shares their early education entitlement between a number of providers?

If a child accesses their early education entitlement from more than one provider, each provider can make a claim to the SEN Inclusion fund, based on the individual child's needs in their setting.

The maximum number of hours available to claim will be the amount funded by the Local Authority for Early Education.

What happens if the child lives in the area of another Local Authority but attends a provider in Norfolk?

Presently all children will be considered for funding, however for non-statutory funding this will be kept under review.

Is there a deadline to submit an application?

There is a strict deadline policy for all SEN Funding applications.  Applications must be sent by secure email to [email protected]. Applications will be Declined if they are not received by email on time.  Always check that you have received an auto reply, when submitting your application.

Who should sign the application form?

To sign the form, an electronic signature is acceptable (type name in the box). This, together with the email message will be consider as authorisation to claim the funding.

The person signing the form must have enough delegated responsibility to submit and sign the application on behalf of the setting.

When completed, where should an application be sent for consideration?

All applications (the Excel document) must be received via secure email to the following mailbox - [email protected]

An automated message will be sent to confirm an email has been received by the mailbox.

It is not possible to accept handwritten, postal or pdf applications.

Can the same form be submitted each term?

No, the template should be downloaded each claim period to ensure the correct version is used.  It is also necessary to review the needs of the children prior to submitting subsequent applications to ensure the answers to the questions and banding reflect their current need.

What does Panel decide?

For each application received, panel will determine that the criteria has been met and funding award based on the answers to the questions and the banding denoted for each area of development.

The outcome determined by panel will be -

• Agreed
• Decline

Is there an Appeal process following the panels decision?

The decision of panel is final, there will be no appeal process.

How will the provider be informed of the panel decision / award?

The payment remittance will be the document which provides the panel outcome.  For funded children, their portal record will be updated after panel has agreed an award. 

When will an award be paid?

Payment for any award will be processed in time for the next published early education payment. The remittance will state the child's initials and SEND.

Where do I find the documentation for SEN funding?

All early years information, guidance and documentation can be found at: Other funding for early years providers. You can find other information about the SEND Local Offer on the Norfolk County Council website.

Where can I seek support to complete an application for funding?

Support can be sought by calling the Early Years Advice Line on 01603 222300 or emailing [email protected]

Alternatively, briefing sessions are held to update providers about funding. Opportunities are given to ask questions, or it is possible to speak directly to a member of the Early Years team.

Is there any other financial support available?

Yes, the Local Authority also offers funding to support the purchase of specialist equipment and resources.

Further information can be found at: Early years and childcare funding panel