SEND and Inclusion
Early Years High Needs Base Provision
As part of Bolton Early Years SEND strategic approach, High Needs SEND Base provision offer places for children aged 2-5 years with High Needs SEND within an environment that will meet their learning and development needs, enable integration and be staffed by practitioners able to offer specialism.
The Early Years High Needs Base provision offers:
- Places for funded children with high needs whose needs cannot be fully met within mainstream provision.
- Provision for the number of hours of their free entitlement for 2,3 and 4 year olds.
- Indoor and outdoor provision at the heart of the setting that provides inclusive learning opportunities in all areas of the EYFS curriculum.
- A team of staff who are highly trained and experienced in the field of SEND.
- An environment and resources specifically sourced to reduce barriers to learning and support development within core areas of learning for children with SEND.
- A high ratio of staff available to meet the needs of pupils who require more specific care.
High Needs Base Provisions
All Saints Cof E Primary School offers 6 full time equivalent places in their Early Years SEND Base provision (Little Saints); these places are for children who are eligible for 2, 3 or 4 year old funding.
Grosvenor Nursery School offers 6 full time equivalent places in their Early Years SEND Base provision; these places are for children who are eligible for 2, 3 or 4 year old funding.
Children’s Opportunity Group offers 4 full time equivalent places in their Early Years SEND Base provision; the Blue Room; these places are for children who are eligible for 2, 3 or 4 year old funding.
Thomasson Memorial School offers 6 full time equivalent places in their Early Years SEND Base provision within the nursery classes; these places are for children who are eligible for 2, 3 or 4 year old funding.
The Orchards Nursery School offers 4 full time equivalent places in their Early Years SEND Base provision with the nursery classes; these places are for children who are eligible for 2, 3 or 4 year old funding.
How and when do I apply?
Professionals can apply by submitting a base referral form along with the Early Help Assessment and supporting evidence to the Early Years SEN High Needs Base Panel, where it will be assessed against a matrix of development to determine a child’s level of needs.
Please submit the following documentation to the EY SEND Hub Coordinator: jo.brown@bolton.gov.uk by the deadline specified below.
- A signed Base Referral Form
- Early Help Assessment
- Most recent reports from external agencies (e.g. SALT, OT)
N.B. Before submitting the referral, please ensure that the information sharing section on the Early Help Form contains ‘High Needs Base Panel’.
The next deadline for applying for High Needs Base Panel is: Wednesday 15th January 2025 by 4:00pm
Recently, you may have noticed that Start Well SEND has reduced usage of #secure# to send information to you via email.
This change has occurred following advice from Bolton ICT services assuring the security of email correspondence.
We strongly advise that you assess your own security arrangements before sending any sensitive or confidential information to Start Well SEND.
As previously noted (from the 1st August 2023), we reserve the right to reject any emails containing password protected documents or documents sent in JPEG, PNG, GIF, or any other photo format.
While discouraging its use, we will continue to accept emails via Egress, if you deem it necessary, and have no alternative means of sending secure emails. However, should you use Egress, it is your responsibility to ensure that “requests for access” are actioned promptly.
Spring High Needs Panel (for placements in April 2025)
- Deadline date - Wednesday 15th January 2025 by 4:00pm
- Panel date - Wednesday 5th February 2025
Summer High News Panel (for placements in September 2025)
- Deadline date - Wednesday 30th April 2025 by 4:00pm
- Panel date - Wednesday 21st May 2025
Autumn High Needs Panel (for placements in January 2026)
- Deadline date - TBC by 4:00pm
- Panel date - TBC
N.B. These dates are subject to change.
For further information, please contact:
EY SEND High Needs Base Coordinator – Jo Brown
The Orchards Federation
Lower Site
Highfield Road
Farnworth
Bolton
BL4 0RA
Tel: 07753 226 201
Email: jo.brown@bolton.gov.uk