Stuart Gallimore

Director of Children’s

Services

Date 13/07/2015

Dear Colleague

Re: Changes to Early Years Inclusion Grant and Inclusion Bursary Fund 2015-2016

I am writing to confirm the changes to the Early Years Inclusion Grant (EYIG and Inclusion Bursary Fund (IBF) from 1st September 2015.

From 31st August 2015 the Inclusion Bursary Fund (IBF) and the Early Years Inclusion Grant (EYIG) will be closed. A new Early Years Inclusion Support Fund (EYISF) will be available for settings to access from 1st September 2015.

The aims and objectives of the EYISF are to:

  • Provide additional support/resources to mainstream Early Years settings/childminders for children with a disabilityand/or those with complex medical/educational needs. These children without additional support and/or resources, would be unable to attend or to be fully and safely included in the setting
  • Promote social inclusion and to support children with a disabilityand/or those with complex medical/educational needs to fully access their learning environment and support them to achieve their full potential in all areas of development.

Access to support from the ISEND Early Years’ Service will be via the ISEND Front Door referral form. The level and type of support allocated, including access to funding from the EYISF (at a maximum rate of £5.00 per hour) to the setting for a child will be determined by the ISEND Early Years Adviser following an assessment.

Transitional Arrangements

  • Settings currently in receipt of IBF for 0-3 year olds will continue to receive funding at current rates up to 15 hours per week until 31st December 2015 unless ongoing assessment indicates the need no longer exists[CH1][NK2]
  • Settings in receipt of EYIG will continue to receive funding at current rates up to 15 hours per week until 31st December 2015, unless ongoing assessment indicates the need no longer exists.
  • Settings in receipt of IBF funding for 3-4 year olds and school age children will receive no further funding from 31st August 2015.
  • Settings in receipt of IBF funding for children who are not on the ISEND Early Years caseload, will have to submit a referral for support via the ISEND front door during September

For additional information please see the Information Sheet attached. You can contact the ISEND Early Years’ Service on 01273 335270 or [CH3]

Yours faithfully

Anna Collins

ISEND Early Years Co-ordinator

[CH1]

[NK2]

[CH3]There needs to be a number/name/email for queries.