Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF)

The Early Years SEN Inclusion Fund application is now CLOSED for the Summer 2024 term.

Please ensure you complete an evaluation form for any funds received before.

Updated SENIF Guidance 2024-25, please read carefully before applying as applications which do not follow the guidance may be returned before consideration at the panel.

• Monday 2^nd September – Monday 25^th November 2024 - (applications must be made within these dates to be given funding to cover both the autumn and spring terms. After each closing date applications will be considered for the following term until the summer.)
• Monday 3^rd February 2025 - (for Spring term only)
• Monday 12^th May 2025 - (for the Summer term only)

Buckinghamshire, like all local authorities, is required to have a Special Educational Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) to support funded 3 and 4 year-olds with SEN, who are taking up their free entitlement. 

In Buckinghamshire we refer to it as Early Years SENIF and also use it to support funded 2-year-olds.

These funds are intended as a contribution towards supporting providers to support the needs of individuals and groups of children with low level and emerging SEND.

The current High Needs Block Funding support and Education, Health, and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) processes remain for children with higher level and long-term need.

Please note that applications will only be considered if settings:

• Have completed the Early Years Inclusion Fund Evaluation (if they received funding last year). This should demonstrate how the allocated funding has been used to support children with low level and emerging SEND.
• Have up to date information on the SEN Local Offer pages on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Website. (Guidance on updating your local offer)
• Can detail how they will use the funding to support children with low level and emerging needs, predominantly through interventions.
• Can detail the support that they are already putting in place for children as part of ordinarily available provision.