SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF) – September 2025 Update

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SENIF Process Streamlined to Support Children with Developmental Delays from Sept 2025

From September 2025, Stoke-on-Trent’s SEN Inclusion Funding (SENIF) process has been streamlined to better support children with developmental delays in two or more areas.

SENIF provides financial support to early years settings and schools, helping children with SEND access inclusive education through additional staffing, specialist training, and tailored resources. Eligible children must be accessing funded hours, show significant developmental delays, and not have an EHCP.

Funding is tiered:

  • Tier 1: No funding
  • Tier 2: £450/term (moderate delays)
  • Tier 3: £900/term (significant delays)

Applications follow the Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR) cycle and require electronic submission with supporting documents and signed parental consent.

Key changes include:

  • Colour-coded forms: Green (Group Application), Red (Termly Review), Blue (Medical Needs)
  • One application per child per academic year, with termly reviews
  • SEN Support Plan or IEP must be attached to each submission
  • Attendance updates must be emailed to eyils.sp@stoke.gov.uk

Disability Access Funding (DAF) is available for children receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and funded hours. Eligible settings can claim £938 per child via the local authority portal. If a child does not receive DLA, SENIF may be used once for resources.

Deadlines:

  • Autumn: 24 Oct 2025
  • Spring: 13 Feb 2026
  • Summer: 22 May 2026

For more information:

Published: 10th September 2025