Nursery World - Northamptonshire children with high needs locked out of early years funding

Families with children with SEND in West and North Northamptonshire have accused their local authorities of ‘letting them down’ after they put a 'pause' on early years high needs funding for new applicants.

Children with SEND in North and West Northamptonshire are unable to apply for high needs funding to support their care in early years settings PHOTO Adobe Stock

A letter dated 23 March from North Northamptonshire Council reveals that from 1 April, early years high needs funding for children with SEND, but without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), will no longer be available - a decision taken by its Schools Forum.

The funding is provided to childcare settings to support the children in their care.

For children already in receipt of the money, the funding will continue, however those children who do not already receive the financial support are currently unable to claim the money.

However, North Northamptonshire Council has now confirmed to Nursery World that a similar funding stream will be put in place shortly, while West Northamptonshire Council said children already in receipt of the funding continue to receive it and the first panel session of the financial year when new applications will be considered is being put in place.

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