This section aims to support a whole system approach to inclusion through up skilling all those working with children and families, developing ordinarily available provision in the early years sector, and a graduated approach.
Kirklees launched their Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) document in October 2023 and has a number of resources for professionals available online including the Inclusion Counts document that supports the delivery of universal inclusive high-quality practice and Graduated Approach guidance. The local offer is now an embedded part of the outreach toolkit and a universal expectation at point of any referral – evidence of Graduated Approach use expected.
Learn more
- Dingley's Promise OAP support developed for Childcare Works
- Dingley's Promise training is offered through a Comic Relief Funded project to reach over 30, 000 practitioners across 32 areas. Feedback shows that over 96 per cent of practitioners who complete the training report they can take more children with SEND as a result
- Dingley's Promise short videos and presentations for educators and setting leaders
- Contact delivers CPD accredited training for professionals on inclusion, including Working with Parent Carers of Early Years Children with SEND
Contact’s webpages for professionals are a useful source of information:
https://contact.org.uk/practitioners/advice/for-early-years-practitioners/
https://contact.org.uk/practitioners/
Dorset have recruited Best Start in Life Advisors who are also trained in Portage to enable a universal approach to identification and support at the earliest contact point. This approach to universal inclusion means families are part of universal support just like any other family and are offered additional support without an extra assessment or referral process. Parents report accessing universal support which celebrates difference and works alongside families.
LGA share a Supporting inclusive early education: A good practice guide. LAs play a vital role in improving take-up of early education entitlements among disadvantaged children
Slough's Early Years Childminder Toolkit. This resource is designed to support childminders to deliver early intervention for pre-school aged children for whom they have identified as possibly having additional needs, particularly with social communication and social interaction differences. Read more