Since 2017, the Early Years SEND Partnership has supported practitioners, parents and carers with training, resources, and an approach to sharing learning, with the aim to increase access and inclusion in early years for children with SEN and disabilities. In 2022-23, the six EYSEND Partners gathered data and evidence of impact from meetings with local area (LA) representatives, surveys, local data sets, external research, and case studies to compile into an impact report.
The main findings demonstrate a clear strength of the EYSEND Partnership as a convenor and hub for knowledge sharing and systems change. Training, national seminars, and regional events have been oversubscribed across the board in 2022-23, despite mounting staffing pressures in the early years sector. Strategic support given to LAs has strengthened multi-agency working, improving outcomes for young children with more joined up working between education, health, and social care.
During the three years the programme has been funded:
- 99 LAs have developed improved EYSEND strategies.
- 42 LAs have been supported across two or more thematic areas of work.
- Engagement from LAs has increased year on year.
- Open-access training has been oversubscribed across all strands of work with 90%+ high satisfaction levels from training.
- 98% of participants who fed back on training reported increased understanding and confidence in applying the learning in practice.
- All open-access training and national seminars have had high engagement, especially in 2022-23, particularly:
- Meeting the Needs of Every Child (nasen) - oversubscribed by 500%.
- Social Communication Training (Speech & Language UK) - oversubscribed by 200%.
- Toilet Training (Contact) - waiting list of 200 people.
- Equality Act (Council for Disabled Children) training attendance has increased by 75% in comparison to 21-22.
You can read more in the data and evidence report below.