SEND & Inclusion Overview | Early Years SENCO & Manager Resource

A practical, easy-to-use overview to help Early Years managers and SENCOs understand what effective SEND and inclusive practice can look like within their setting.

This resource provides a clear starting point for considering how your setting identifies emerging needs, reduces barriers, plans appropriate support, works in partnership with families and professionals, and monitors the impact of support.

What's included?

✔ Identifying emerging SEND needs

✔ Understanding the individual child

✔ Recognising and reducing barriers to participation

✔ Assess–Plan–Do–Review

✔ Working effectively with parents and carers

✔ Listening to children's voices

✔ Working with other professionals

✔ Reasonable adjustments

✔ Monitoring the impact of support

✔ SENCO & Manager quick-check questions

✔ Practical prompts to support reflective practice

The resource is designed to encourage inclusive practice as part of everyday provision, rather than treating SEND as a separate process.

It can be used as:

• A starting point for a new SENCO

• A refresher for experienced SENCOs and managers

• A staff discussion or training resource

• Part of a setting's SEND self-evaluation

Why you'll find it useful

SEND paperwork can sometimes become overwhelming. This overview brings the key areas together in clear, practical language, helping managers and SENCOs think about what they are doing, why they are doing it and what difference it is making for children.

Designed with the current Early Years inspection framework and inclusion expectations in mind.

This is a practical support resource and should be used alongs