Funding for children & young people with SEND

For under 5 year olds

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

To be eligible for DAF, the child must be 3 or 4 years old, not in reception class, getting Disability Living Allowance and receiving early education (children whose siblings attract DLA but don’t themselves would not be eligible). The DAF funding is a lump sum payment of c£800 per year and the parent must nominate which provider will receive the funding.  Any resources bought will remain the property of the provider. However, if the child is moving to another provider, a transfer of the resources is possible, if it helps the child to access the new provision.  Resources can also be used by the parent at home if it is felt that this will benefit the child.

The provider needs to tick the DAF box on their on-line 3 & 4 year old funding claim form and send a copy of the Disability Living Allowance award letter to the Early Education Funding Team at earlyeducation@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

SEN Inclusion Fund

The SEN Inclusion Fund is available to 3 & 4 year olds with low level, emerging SEN needs who are in receipt of Early Education Funding and not yet in reception class.  For those attending a nursery school or class in a school, these funds can be requested through their termly census. For those attending any other setting, an application can be submitted via the Provider Portal.  Online guidance notes are given within the "Provider Portal guidance - SEN" document located here - Early Education Fund Guidance Notes. This is then claimed through the Early Education Team (earlyeducation@oxfordshire.gov.uk).  This fund is not aimed at children who have higher or more complex needs such as those who might be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance as additional funding is available for settings seeking to support these children (https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/guidance-and-procedures-support-providers) nor those who have an Education Health Care Plan.

If there are any questions or concerns about access to this funding please contact the EYSEN team for discussion - EYSEN.Funding@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Early Years Inclusion Support Scheme

The Early Years Inclusion Support Scheme aims to promote inclusion and remove the barriers to play, childcare and leisure for disabled children with funding to help with the costs of childcare for disabled children and young people. It is available for children and young people under five years of age with impairments or emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties who would otherwise be prevented from taking part. The funding is for short-term support, e.g. for a term, or during a holiday playscheme.

Applications must support children aged under 5 years with the highest need from families on a low income.  More information on the Short Breaks webpage - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/shortbreaks

For over 5 year olds

Short Breaks Inclusion Support Scheme and Short Breaks Transport Scheme

If you need help paying for transport, fees or extra support to access activities, funding is available through Inclusion Support Scheme (Short Breaks) and the Short Breaks Transport Scheme.  Funding can only be accessed by families on low income/benefits with disabled children aged 5-17 years. The priority for this scheme is to support access to out-of-school activities and/or holiday activities.  More information, including eligibility criteria, is on the Short Breaks webpage - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/shortbreaks

Enabler Support Scheme

The Enabler Support Scheme is to promote inclusion and remove the barriers to play, childcare and leisure for disabled children and young people.  Can be used to help pay for 1:1 staff hours, staff training, equipment (if there are no other funding sources available).

More information on the Short Breaks webpage - www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/shortbreaks

For further information on support to families with disabled children and young people