Service FAQ questions
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Support for Pre-School Children Birth to Five with Additional Needs or Disabilities - FAQs
Why does my child have to be referred to the Early Support Pre-School Panel?
You, your health visitor, speech therapist, doctor or pre-school leader may have expressed a concern about your child’s development. The Early Support Pre-School Panel is the borough-wide referral route to enable access to additional education-funded support for children aged 0 to 5.
Do I have to give my permission for this to happen?
Yes. It is important that you know why your child is being referred to the Panel and you have an opportunity to give information as well.
What will happen next?
The referral form needs to be completed and is then sent to the Early Support Pre-School Panel, which meets fortnightly. The referral form can be downloaded from the following link:
At the meeting, all referrals are discussed and your child will be allocated to a member of the Panel or the relevant member of the Pre-School Service's teams. This person will contact you and may come to visit you and your child to receive your views and discuss your child further.
Who is on the Panel?
The Panel consists of Head of Pre-School Specialist Early Support Services and Head Teacher, Phoenix Centre, Senior Educational Psychologist, Paediatrician, Senior Area Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Senior Teacher, Portage Key worker Co-ordinator, Bromley Early Support, Inclusion and Outreach, Leader of Special Needs Playgroup, Senior Manager, Admissions, Assessment and Transition, Clinical Co-ordinator for Speech and Language Therapy, Special Needs Health Visitor, a representative from Social Services and a teacher from the Sensory Support Service.
Who will come to see me at home?
That will depend on the age of your child and what his/her needs are. The most appropriate person will be identified to come and visit you, usually at home. If your child requires extra support to access a mainstream pre-school setting then a member of the team may see you and your child in a pre-school setting if appropriate.
What Educational Services are available to me if my child needs additional help for his/her development?
Bromley Portage
Educational Psychology Service
Phoenix Children’s Resource Centre
Sensory Support Service
Support in Pre-School Settings
Support worker or supported places
Support in partnership with Bromley PCT for children with Complex Medical Needs
Do I need to take any of the services offered?
The choice is yours – but you need to think carefully about saying no to services offered. We wish to support you and your child as soon as their special educational needs have been identified.
Can I choose whether to take up the service that has been identified as the most appropriate for my child?
It has to be your choice because you are the child’s main carer and it is important for you to feel you can look at the services available. If you feel the service offered is appropriate to your child’s needs, you are then in a good position to make an informed decision.