Early Years Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) Guidance

This is a reminder that all requests for SENIF must include a parental signature on the SENIF application form. We have received some applications with no signature. We have been unable to consider them as a result.

The Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund (SENIF) supports providers to meet the needs of individual children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The SENIF must be used to offer opportunities that are additional to and different from Early Years Ordinarily Available Provision. 

SENIF is available for children who meet the criteria and are accessing Early Years Entitlement Funding from 9 months+. 

SENIF should be used in conjunction with the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) and Disability Access Funding (DAF) for eligible children aged 9 months+, 2, 3, and 4 years, to make reasonable adjustments as required under the Equality Act 2010. EYPP and DAF can be applied for via the Early Years Provider Portal. 

Funding awarded through SENIF must be used as outlined in the provider’s application and clearly reflected in the provision map. 

It is essential to monitor children’s progress in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework and apply the graduated approach as set out in the DfE SEND Code of Practice 2014.

The application process for SENIF

How to apply:

  • Use the application form [WORD 676KB], share it with the child's parents and ensure you have their permission to apply.
  • Send completed forms via secure email (Egress) to LIS.BS.CBLD@cumbria.gov.uk or through the Early Years SEND link on the schools' portal. This helps reduce the need for printed copies. 

What to include:

A fully completed application form [WORD 676KB], which must have:

  • a summary of progress and assessment
  • consent from both parents and provider
  • a detailed provision map clearly showing what support has already been provided and how you plan to use SENIF. (Please refer to Provision Map Guidance and Exemplars [WORD 522KB]) 

You are asked on the application form if you have SEN support plans in place and you are following the 'Graduated Approach'. It is expected that these are in place and may be reviewed during visits. 

Funding decisions are made by a panel including Early Years and SEND Team members. They consider:

  • the information you provide
  • support already in place
  • the child’s level of need

Providers will be notified of the panel’s decision by email. 

There are 3 levels of funding. These may be awarded for up to one academic year for entitlement funding hours claimed:

  • level 1 - £1.75 per hour
  • level 2 - £2.63 per hour
  • level 3 - £3.51 per hour

The amounts paid per term will vary. This will be dependent upon the number of weeks in a term and the hours accessed by the child. 

Please note:

  • SENIF ends if the child gets an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
  • If a child attends more than one setting, each must apply separately
  • If a child moves settings, the new setting must reapply (funding do doesn’t transfer)
  • Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and payments can only be backdated to the start of the term in which the application was made

If you’re applying for a child with complex needs starting a setting, and some documents aren’t available, please contact the Early Years Team Manager to discuss further.

Reviewing and monitoring

Each setting should review how SENIF funding has been used at the end of each term, showing the impact on the child. You don’t need to submit this paperwork every term to the local authority, but it may be requested as part of the monitoring process. During visits, you may also be asked to explain how the funding is being used to support the child or children in your care.