The Early Years Inclusion Panel is a multi-agency meeting where professionals from health, education and social care work together to monitor and review children with additional learning needs (ALN) and disabilities.
The Panel meets weekly to discuss referred children and to agree on the best way forward.
A child may be referred to the Early Years Inclusion Panel when a professional or a parent or carer has a concern that the child may have additional learning needs or a disability that stops them from accessing the same opportunities as children their age.
Who can make a referral?
Any professional involved with the child can make an Early Years Referral. The panel will only accept referrals for children who are:
- aged 0 to 5,
- living in Cardiff, and
- not yet accessing mainstream education.
The referral should be discussed with you, and you should have the opportunity to express your views.
The Early Years Inclusion Panel will meet to discuss the referral and any other supporting information. The panel will consider your child’s needs and agree the best way forward. This may include signposting to other services or professionals for further support and guidance.
What happens next?
The panel must make a decision within 12 weeks. Once a decision has been made, a letter outlining any outcomes or actions from the Early Years Inclusion Panel will be sent to you. In all cases a member of the Early Years Inclusion Team will contact you to explain the outcomes and answer any questions you may have.
If your child has ALN
If it is decided your child has additional learning needs (ALN), they may need Additional Learning Provision (ALP). The provision will be set out in an
Individual Development Plan (IDP).
In some cases, the Panel may agree that the setting your child currently attends, or will be attending in the future, will need additional resources to help your child access their play and learning opportunities.
You should be fully involved in preparing the IDP. The law says they have the right to:
- share their views about their child’s needs, and
- where possible their views taken into account.
After completing the IDP, you should have an opportunity to comment on a draft and to raise any concerns as soon as possible. The council should consider any concerns and take appropriate action.
Once prepared, the council must give you a copy of the IDP.
If your child does not have ALN
If the Early Years Inclusion Panel decide your child does not have ALN, they will write to you and explain the reason for their decision.
The notification letter will include:
- contact details for the council,
- details about how to access information and advice on ALN and the ALN system,
- details of any action the council will take to make sure the child’s needs are met, even if they do not have ALN,
- advice on avoiding and resolving disagreements, and
- information about your right to appeal to the Tribunal.
If you disagree with the decision you should speak to the council as soon as possible to discuss the decision. There is an 8 week time limit to make an appeal, however this is extended by a further 8 weeks if you use dispute resolution.
You can contact SNAP Cymru on 0808 801 0608 for independent advice and support on dispute resolution.