Early support plan

The way in which the child responds to interventions can form part of the assessment of the child’s needs. An early support plan should be completed by providers.

Purpose

The early support plan is a tool for providers to document relevant information about the child. It includes EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) baseline data, which can be used to set targets according to identified needs. Targets should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound) and a date should be set to review the early support plan.

Benefits

Needs can be identified early, and the early support plan helps to form a picture as to how a child has responded to different types of intervention. If needs can’t be met within the setting then it provides evidence for what the setting has put in place and provides valuable information to external support agencies.

If a child is not making progress despite interventions being put in place, providers may refer to external agencies with parental consent.

Please see an Early Support Plan template - SEN Early Years Support Plan (links to a download)