SENIF Frequently Asked Questions
1.
If DAF is used for buying specialist equipment. Who keeps the equipment? Is it
the nursery?
The expectation is that it would be good practice for resources to be passed
to the receiving school if appropriate to do so but that any adaptions to the
setting would obviously remain at the setting.
2.
If a child is under Early Support but is not yet seen by Portage or a Specialist
Teacher and a specialist placement is required because the child has severe &
complex needs, who completes the SENIF Specialist Nursery Request Form?
The SNA would raise the child for consideration for O&A at the MAP meeting if
they weren’t receiving any additional professional support i.e. Portage / STLS.
Discussion would take place at the meeting around the next steps. If it is felt
that the O&A is still appropriate, the SNA will complete the form with the
family and then share with the District Lead & the Specialist Nursery Manager
at the MAP meeting.
3.
If a child is receiving SENIF and moves to a new setting, can the SENIF be
transferred or does a new application need to be made?
A new SENIF application will need to be made by the new setting.
4.
Who does the setting inform that the child has left?
The County SENIF Funding Officer
5.
Emporium plus will no longer be funded but can SENIF funding be used for
sensory equipment?
Settings will be able to utilise their funding as appropriate to the child and if
they wish to purchase sensory equipment they can do so or it may be
cheaper for them to have membership with Emporium Plus and have regular
changes of sensory equipment.
6.
What is a ‘Continuing Healthcare Plan’?
This is a plan provided by the Children’s Disability Team for children with life
limiting conditions and families could get additional funding.
7.
If a child is in receipt of SENIF, but has poor attendance due to illness, how
does this affect the funding?
This is outlined in the SENIF Guidance.
8.
If a child makes good progress within the year and no longer, needs funding,
what do we do?
The setting would at point of review submit the paperwork to the SENIF
Funding Officer with a covering e-mail for the funding to cease.
9.
If funding is needed for another year, does a new request form have to be
completed?
Yes as the needs may have changed.
10.
Is there a particular process to follow, if a child, in receipt of funding, moves
to another setting?
Yes this is in the SENIF Guidance.
11.
When the funding is paid into setting bank accounts, will it identify the child
for whom it is being paid – e.g. by name, initials, eligibility number?
We are hopeful that initials will be assigned to the payment.
12.
Can SENIF be requested for a child who is part of the SLI service –to carry out
the programmes daily?
KCC won’t fund the NHS to deliver programmes in settings. Funding is not
provided for specific interventions but if criteria is met and funding agreed,
the setting can determine how this is used in line with the Personalised Plan.
13.
Will the payments be monthly e.g. total sum / 12 months including a
payment in August when the setting is closed?
Yes
14.
Once SENIF is agreed, is it possible for settings to request a higher level of
support because the needs of the child have changed since the original
application? How do they make this request?
This would be possible in exceptional circumstances but there would need to
be clear evidence that the current provision cannot meet the child's needs. A
SENIF Review form would need to be completed and sent together with a new
SENIF Request form.
15.
Can you apply for SENIF in advance of a child starting if they are not known
to Portage but needs have been identified by the SENCo on a home visit?
The expectation here would be that the SENCo would then raise the needs of
the child at LIFT following the visit so that STLS can be involved to offer
advice and support any application. The child could have some taster days at
the setting to which the specialist teacher could be invited and then a gradual
transition implemented.
16.
Does every child have an eligibility number even if they don’t attend 30
hours?
No the eligibility number is based on working parents proving they meet the
criteria of working over 16 hours etc. and are then eligible for the 30 hours
extended entitlement. Parents must/are responsible for renewing their code
and must pass this onto the setting.
Parents will complete a parent declaration form that will require them to tick
either a 15 hour universal entitlement, which will include a box for EYPP, Free
for Two and DAF. There will also be a box for the extended 30 hour
entitlement
17.
Can two settings apply for SENIF for the same child if they access their 30
hours in different settings?
Yes
18.
The SENIF Guidance document states the role and responsibilities of the setting
is to review the Personalised Plan termly and complete the SENIF Review
every two terms – why is this?
They review different things. The Personalised Plan is a stand-alone
document, not specifically for SENIF. The SENIF Review Form reviews
attainment and the impact of the funding while the Personalised Plan reviews
the targets and outcomes set.
19.
What is the expected time frame for approval of the funding once it is
submitted?
The SENIF Funding Officer will be considering the requests as they come in.
Generally we would expect an outcome within two weeks but at busier times
that might be a little longer.
20.
Is the funding back dated to the date of application?
It is back dated to the date received providing eligibility criteria is met.
21.
If a child is eligible for Free for Two Funding but is attending a setting that
isn’t registered to take Free for Two, can SENIF be requested?
No
22.
If a child is attending a Kent setting but is in the care of another local
authority where should the request for DAF & SEN Inclusion Funding be made?
DAF funding: ‘In cases where a child who lives in one authority area attends
a provider in a different local authority, the provider’s local authority is
responsible for funding the DAF for the child and eligibility checking’. C/ref:
Pg.18 Early years national funding formula Operational guide December 2016
SENIF – this should be applied for in Kent by the Kent setting.