Supporting Additional needs- SEN Provision

"Every child deserves to be seen, understood, and supported. Through early identification and strong partnerships with families, we’re committed to nurturing each child’s individual strengths and ensuring they thrive from the very start."

What is graduated support?

The Three Stages of the Graduated Approach at Lilly Brook

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)
This is the first level of support in our settings and includes high-quality teaching, reasonable adjustments, and simple resources to help students thrive. Examples include:
- Movement breaks
- Sensory activities
- Access to a calm, safe space
- Access to transition images to signal transition times
- Makaton supported communication for all
  These provisions aim to remove barriers to learning using the pre school’s usual resources.
SEN Support (Assess → Plan → Do → Review)
If OAP is not sufficient, the setting initiates the Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle, where:
- Assess: Identify and understand the specific needs
- Plan: Develop a targeted support plan with expected outcomes
- Do: Implement the support (e.g., tailored interventions)
- Review: Measure impact and revise as necessary
  The school—or nursery—will often involve the SENCO and parents throughout.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC or EHCP)
For a small number of children whose needs can not be met by OAP or SEN Support alone, a formal EHCP (previously known as EHC Plan) may be required. This is a legally binding document developed through a local authority assessment. It outlines the child’s needs and the support they should receive, spanning education, health, and care services.

Implementation in Lilly Brook

Bromley’s Graduated Approach Framework provides clear guidance to professionals on applying this model across different types of SEN. The overall aim is to make education accessible and inclusive for all children in the borough.
In early years settings, the process is similar. Early years practitioners, along with the SENCO and parents, regularly assess the child's progress, plan interventions, implement support, and review outcomes. If progress stalls, external professionals may be involved.
Bromley’s Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) and Portage services offer additional early intervention support for children from 0–4 years old—often triggered by a health professional's notification (Section 23). These services work with families and settings to promote inclusion and develop bespoke support strategies.

What You Can Do Next

Talk to our SENCO. They are the key contact in coordinating support.
Ensure you understand how the Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle is implemented and get involved in each stage—you know your child best.
If you feel the support being provided isn't enough, discuss the possibility of further referrals or an EHCP assessment with the SENCO or request it yourself.

Progress Check at 2 Years

What Is the Progress Check at Two (Integrated Review)?

In Bromley, the Progress Check at Two aligns with the national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory requirement and is integrated with the Health Visiting Team’s two-year health and development review, forming the Integrated Review at Two.

EYFS Progress Check at Age Two
All children aged between 24–36 months must have their development assessed. Practitioners provide a written summary of the child’s progress specifically in the three prime areas:
- Personal, social, and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
  This summary highlights strengths, developmental areas that may be lagging, and proposes next steps or supportive strategies. It is typically conducted by the child’s key person, with input from parents and other professionals where relevant.
Health Visiting Two-Year Review
Between 24–30 months, families receive an invite from the health visiting team inviting them to attend a health review. They complete Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQs) and undergo an Early Language Identification Measure (ELIMs) to assess overall development and specifically speech and language.
The Integrated Review
This approach combines the EYFS Progress Check and the Health Visiting review into one cohesive process. Health practitioners, early years providers, and families collaborate—sharing observations, assessments, and insights—to paint a full picture of the child’s development and plan support where needed.

What Happens If a Child Is Found to Be Below Expected Ranges?

If the integrated review identifies that a child is not meeting expected developmental milestones:

Initial Support Within the Setting
Settings implement inclusive, high-quality practice—such as visual aids, structured routines, small-group or individual teaching, consistent differentiation, supportive communication strategies, and sensory-friendly environments—to support learning effectively.Bromley Education Matters
Engagement with Parents & Carers
Practitioners involve parents in discussions, sharing observations and jointly planning steps to support their child’s progress. Open communication ensures that families understand what’s happening and can support development at home.
Graduated Approach to Support (Assess–Plan–Do–Review)
If delays persist, the setting’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) may initiate a formal SEN Support Plan, defining outcomes, tailored targets, strategies, and involvement from other professionals. This plan is regularly reviewed and refined.Bromley Education Matters
Referral to Early Years SEN Advisory Team (EYSENAT)
If the child continues to show developmental delays despite appropriate in-setting support, a referral may be made to the EYSENAT. With parental consent, professionals assess the situation and may suggest:
- Additional personalised strategies
- Specialist visits from inclusion practitioners
- Allocation of SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF) to help the setting provide extra supportBromley Education Matters
Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
If progress is still insufficient, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment may be initiated. This involves collating reports from multiple professionals and, with positive determination, leads to an EHC Plan (EHCP). This legal document specifies the child's educational, health, and care requirements and ensures resources are allocated to meet them.Bromley Education Matters

What is the Bromley SEND Local Offer?

The Bromley SEND Local Offer is an online resource provided by the London Borough of Bromley that brings together information about all the support, services, activities and advice available for children and young people (aged 0–25) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. It is designed to be clear, accessible and helpful so parents know what support exists locally and how to get it.

You can visit the main Bromley SEND Local Offer page here:
➡️ Bromley SEND Local Offer: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-disability-send-local-offer

📚 What Information and Support Will You Find?

The Local Offer covers a wide range of support across education, health and social care, including:

✔ Support for different ages and stages

Early years support (0–5)
Primary and secondary school information
Preparing for adulthood (post-16 skills, education and transition support)

✔ Services and activities
You’ll find listings and information about services, groups and programmes available locally. This might include:

Speech and language therapy
Social communication and autism support
Community activities and social groups.

✔ Directory of local and national providers
Links to organisations and services that offer specialist support – though it’s important to check details like suitability or Ofsted/CQC registration where applicable.

✔ Understanding your child’s needs and process guides
The site includes explanations about how schools assess needs, how support is decided, and the education, health and care planning process.

✔ Key contacts and more help
There’s a dedicated key contacts list so parents know who to talk to for things like EHCP assessments, social care support, travel assistance, and early years teams.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Extra Support for Parents & Families

An important part of the Local Offer is the Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) – a free and confidential service for parents and carers of children with SEND. IASS can help you:

Understand your child’s needs and the law
Navigate education and health systems
Attend reviews and meetings with you
Explore options if you disagree with decisions like EHCP assessments.

Find out more here: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/IASS

🗣 Why It Matters

The Local Offer:

Improves transparency: it lays out information so families aren’t left guessing what support exists.
Supports decision making: parents can see options and make informed choices about their child’s education and care.
Is developed with families: Bromley regularly seeks parent/carer and young person feedback to shape and improve it.

🔎 Practical Tips for Parents

📍 Bookmark the Local Offer and browse by topic relevant to your child’s age or needs.
📍 Contact IASS early if you need support interpreting reports or attending meetings.
📍 Keep a list of key contacts from the Local Offer key contacts page.