Supporting Children with Special Needs in Early Years - Level 4

Summary

This qualification is designed for students already working as an Early Years Practitioner in a lead Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) related role and who wish to progress to leadership and management roles and responsibilities, leading best practice for their setting, or those who can access relevant evidence in another role.

This qualification offers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and is aimed at Level 3 Early Years Practitioners in a private, voluntary or independent setting progressing from the Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings. It can also support those working in schools and other care settings.

Students will gain knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to:

• Leadership and management within early years SENCO and SEND related roles

• Leading effective practice in a SENCO role

• Evaluating SEND provision for effective practice

• Leading change to improve SEND provision

• Undertaking practitioner-led enquiry

In order to meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria, students should be working as an Early Years Practitioner in a lead Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) or Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) related role or be in a position where they are able to evidence achievement of specific knowledge and skills required of a lead role and who wish to progress to leadership and management roles and responsibilities, leading best practice for their setting.

They must have access to children covered by the Early Years Foundation Stage. It would also be useful for both volunteers and those who are employed through the Play Inclusion Project or Portage.

It may also be useful to students/ employees in the following sectors/areas, as long as they have access to children aged 0-5:

• Early Years

• Primary Teaching

• Childhood Studies

• Community and Families

• Nursing

Key information

Entry Requirements

Prospective students must hold a relevant level 3 qualification in childcare e.g. Early Years or Teaching Assistants or Education. They must also be in a role where they have an opportunity to work with children under 5.

Qualification obtained

Award in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Leadership and Management in the Early Years

How will I be assessed?

This qualification has 3 units:

• Leading effective practice in the role of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) within Early Years Settings

• Evaluate Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provision for effective practice within an Early Years Settings

• Lead change to inform Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provision in an Early Years Setting

Assessment is through a portfolio of evidence, an observation in the workplace and a professional discussion. Unit 3 requires an action research project to be carried out in the workplace.