Introduction

Your baby or child might need extra help from education, health or care services at times. The early years support team can:

• support you
• share helpful information
• bring services together to plan for your child.

Who this section is for

If you are a parent or carer, in this section you’ll find:

• what support is available and who the support is for
• how to request support as a parent or carer
• what happens after a request is submitted.

If you are a lead practitioner, you’ll find the following information in our early years professionals section:

• role and responsibilities
• resources to help you.

What support is available

Early years support can help give your child the best start by identifying and meeting their needs early. This support can include the following:

• Advice and guidance for parents and carers
• Help from services like portage, or the early years inclusion team
• Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Bringing together education, health and care services to plan for your child.

Who this support is for

Support is available for babies and children aged five years old or under who:

• have or may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
• have been identified as having learning and development and/or physical and medical needs
• require one or more specialist services
• are looked after
• live in a different local authority but attend an East Riding early years setting.

Who can request support

In most cases, you and your child will be referred to early years support by a professional like a:

• health visitor
• family coordinator
• special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
• keyworker.

But you can also make a request for early years support as a parent or carer.