Nursery World - Calls to change SEND funding system to increase 'scandalously low' number of early years places

A charity is calling for immediate action on the current system of funding for children with SEND, who, due to ‘unnecessarily complex application processes’, are being turned away by early years settings.

Dingley's Promise is calling for change to the SEND funding system so settings can secure the money they need to support children, PHOTO: Dingley's Promise

Within its Early Years Funding Manifesto, Dingley’s Promise recommends the way funding is accessed by early years settings to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) be simplified.

Local authorities concerned there won't be enough places for the expanded offer

It says currently the availability of early years places for children with SEND are ‘scandalously low’, with many settings having to fund support out of their own pocket.

The charity wants the link removed between Disability Access Funding (DAF) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to make funding more accessible to settings.

Currently, in order for a setting to get Disability Access Funding (DAF) the child must have Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which parents have to secure through a complicated application procedure, says Dingley’s Promise.

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