Early years provision

Schools are now able to refer children who are nursery aged or younger to the Schools’ Early Years Forum (SEYF). 

What is the Schools’ Early Years Forum?

The Early Years Forum is the way that services from education, health and social care work together to identify and support pre-school children with additional needs in Stoke-on-Trent. It is a way for health and other services such as nurseries to let the Local Authority know about any young children who may need extra support when they go to school. This helps to ensure that every child with SEND in Stoke-on-Trent has the best possible start to learning.

This mechanism has been in place for many years and is successful in identifying young children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Previously, children would exit the Early years Forum as soon as they started at a school provision. From September 2025, the Early Years Forum will be expanding to include children who are nursery aged or younger and are attending a school. This will be known as the Schools’ Early Years Forum (SEYF).

How will the SEYF work?

The Schools’ Early Years Forum is a monthly meeting of professionals from health (Community Paediatrics, Speech and Language Therapy, Health Visitors, Physiotherapy), education (Educational Psychology, SEND Services, Early Years Inclusive Learning Service, SENMAS) and social care (Supporting Families, Children with Disabilities, Virtual School).

Not all children known to the SEYF are discussed every month. The Forum will look at the needs of each child. It will request reports from anyone involved in supporting the child. This helps to track each child’s development and progress and make sure everything that they need is in place. Based on the information that received, the Forum might recommend extra ways that a child’s development can be supported.

How do I refer a child to the SEYF?

Schools within Stoke-on-Trent can refer children to the Schools’ Early Years Forum by completing a referral form (add link). Staffordshire schools are also able to refer any children who attend their school but live at an address in Stoke-on-Trent. Health professionals are also able to refer children from Stoke-on-Trent who are attending a school nursery class.

School’s must get consent from the child's parent before referring to the SEYF. You will need to provide information on the child’s strengths and needs as well as their developmental levels. You will also need to provide information on other professionals who may be involved with the child such as a Paediatrician, health therapist or social worker. You will need to provide information of what strategies and support you have already put in place.

Each referral is processed by Early Years SEND Caseworkers. They will request information from all services who are providing support or care for the child. This information is then reviewed by the team to ensure that there is enough information to move the child onto the Forum. If approved, the child’s Parents will be sent a letter telling them the date that their child will first be discussed at the Forum. School will also get a copy of this letter.

Which children can be referred?

• Child must live at an address within Stoke-on-Trent (ie Parents pay council tax to Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
• Child is nursery-aged or younger
• Child shows significant delays in 2 or more areas of their development

What about children who are already known to the Early Years Forum before they start school?

If children are already known to the Early Years Forum, they will automatically transfer over to the SEYF. School will be informed when a child is due to be discussed and when any reports are due.

What do we as a school need to do?

Schools will be asked to provide a report each time the child is going to be discussed at the Forum. You can download a copy of the report template here - school summary form (add link). You will need to email the completed report to SEYF.sp@stoke.gov.uk before the report deadline.

Gathering parents' views are an important part of the forum. We ask schools to make sure that parents receive a copy of the parent comment form (add link). Parents should return the completed form to school who can then send it with their reports on behalf of the parents.

Once the child has been discussed by the Forum, schools will receive a feedback pack containing all reports that have been gathered and any recommendations for next steps. The date that the child will next be discussed at the SEYF will also be included in the feedback pack. Feedback packs will be sent to school via the secure email portal. Documents will only be available on the portal for 30 days so schools will need to ensure that they download he paperwork. Schools are responsible for ensuring that the child’s parents receive a copy of this feedback pack, either via email or a paper copy.

If an EHC Needs Assessment has been agreed by the SEYF, schools are responsible for completing the paperwork and getting written consent from Parents.