Afterschool Chillout

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy

 

At Afterschool Chillout we recognise that all children have the right to access the activities we provide and we will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to ensure inclusivity for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

 

What are special educational needs and disabilities?

Children are classed as having SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) if they have:

• 'a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or

• ‘a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions'

Introduction xiv SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years, 2015

 

In 2014, the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice came into effect. This highlights that all children and young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress. It is the SENCO’s (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) responsibility to work with families to identify children who may need additional support to access the curriculum or require special resources. The SENCO for Afterschool Chillout is Denise Asquez.

 

How does Afterschool Chillout identify children who might have SEND?

As a childcare provider, we are aware that some children may have SEND and may require additional support to access the curriculum, to learn and make progress. All staff have good knowledge of child development. Afterschool Chillout will monitor all children in the setting and use age-related expectations to guide the support offered. If Afterschool Chillout feel that a child requires additional support or has difficulties in accessing the curriculum at the expected level, we will monitor, keep observational notes and share our concerns with the child’s parents/carers as soon as possible, using the graduated approach of Assess, Plan, Do, Review. We will include the parents views and observations in our assessments and agree on an achievable Plan.  We will discuss what support can be provided within the setting, as well as the possibility of referring the child for support from external agencies, if appropriate. Any such discussions will be kept confidential, at all times and the child will only be discussed with other agencies with permission.

 

How are children with identified SEND supported at Afterschool Chillout?

If Afterschool Chillout are caring for a child with SEND, we will create a targeted plan that details any additional provisions we will be making for the child and how we intend to meet their needs. This plan will be regularly reviewed. As an inclusive setting, Afterschool Chillout will provide suitable activities to ensure all children are able to access these experiences. We will also, at all times, work to develop children’s self-esteem, to encourage the child’s confidence and independence wherever possible. If Afterschool Chillout ever needs advice on how to best support a child with SEND, staff members may attend relevant training and/or consult the local authority team for general guidance. With parent/carer consent, we may also discuss an individual child, their needs and ways to support them, specifically.

 

How does Afterschool Chillout work with parents/carers when a child has SEND?

We will work in close partnership with parents/carers, asking for their contributions when creating and reviewing plans for how to support a child with SEND.

If a child is able to have an input, they may also be consulted. In addition, we may contact other relevant agencies for advice, where appropriate. When a plan has been created, parents/carers will be encouraged to use similar techniques at home as we do in the setting, to provide continuity for the child and to allow them to achieve their best outcomes.

 

Will children with SEND have access to specialist support agencies and resources?

Where appropriate, we will discuss with parents/carers the possibility of external agency involvement and we may encourage families to seek further advice, guidance and assessment, if this would benefit the child and/or the adults who care for them. 

We are happy to contribute information from Afterschool Chillout towards any such assessments. In some cases, specialist equipment, facilities and/or training might be necessary in order to provide appropriate care for a child with SEND.  Afterschool Chillout will seek additional funding, where available, to fund the costs of additional equipment and support as needed.

 

Will plans for children with SEND be reviewed?

All plans put in place for a child with SEND will have a suggested review date. During a review, previous targets and support provided will be analysed and either continued, adjusted or replaced, as required. Reviews will be done in consultation with parents/carers, as well as external agencies (where involved and available).

 

What if Afterschool Chillout is unable to provide everything a child with SEND requires?

If Afterschool Chillout feel that we are unable to meet a child’s needs due to lack of funding, resources, training, external support, staff time, etc., we will need to review the suitability of the childcare place.  It may be in the best interests of the child for parents/carers to find alternative childcare, in a setting that is better equipped or has a higher ratio of staff per child.  Any such issues will be discussed with parents/carers at the earliest opportunity and they will be given a reasonable amount of time to find childcare that is more suitable for their child before their contract ends. However, if anyone’s safety and/or wellbeing is at serious risk, the contract may need to be terminated with immediate effect.

 

How does Afterschool Chillout support children with SEND to transition into the setting?

Parents/carers will be asked to provide information about their child’s interests,

abilities, strengths, needs and any identified or suspected SEND before starting in the setting.  We will use this information to prepare staff and the setting for the child's arrival. We will also discuss with parents/carers how the child is supported at home and try to implement similar methods in the setting to create familiarity. In addition, we may agree to make amended arrangements such as additional settling-in sessions or a staggered start before the child attends the

setting for their full contracted hours.

 

How does Afterschool Chillout support children with SEND to transition into their next setting?

Afterschool Chillout will fully support children who are moving to a new setting, should parents/carers decide that it’s time for them to move on or that they would like to split their childcare between multiple settings. 

 

With parent/carer permission, we will make the SENCO available to speak to the new setting about the child and to share any written information and personal documents with them. The SENCO will be happy to discuss details of any identified issues, the techniques and strategies used in the setting and give suggestions for how to make the transition run smoothly.

 

 

This policy was adopted by: Afterschool Chillout

 

Date: October 2025

To be reviewed:  October 2026

 

Signed:    Denise Asquez

Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2025): Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements: Special Educational Needs [3.61] and SEND Code of Practice 2015.