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Brent Early Years Inclusion Support Team

Brent Early Years Inclusion Support Team (EYIST)

The Early Years Inclusion Support Team (EYIST) works to support the inclusion of young children in early years settings who have a range of SEND that may be affecting their learning and progress.

This includes working with early years settings in schools as well as private, voluntary, independent nurseries and childminders.

The team offers support in spotting needs early and planning for additional needs at the Early Years Foundation Stage. It works with early years professionals to remove barriers to inclusion and help make sure all children are fully included in the day-to-day activities at their setting.

It is a multi-disciplinary team that includes:

  • advisory teachers
  • early years specialist practitioners
  • health professionals
Last updated 25/04/24

Contact details

Phone:
Email:
Address:

Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley

HA9 0FJ

What we do

The team’s work includes:

  • giving advice and training to SENCOs and other early years practitioners to help develop their knowledge and skills in understanding, identifying and meeting the needs of children with SEND
  • supporting settings to work with parents and carers to identify and assess a child’s needs, plan how to address those needs and review progress
  • working in a preventative role, supporting early identification of children who may have SEND
  • helping settings put into place integrated support for children with SEND, which may include onward referrals to outside agencies
  • creating a 'team around the child and family' to give young children a good start - using the graduated approach to support.

With parental consent, the team can meet with staff to share key information about the child as well as observe them experiencing difficulties in the setting, as well as meeting with parents and carers to share their thoughts or concerns and agree next steps.

The team’s early years inclusion link workers can support children with all of the four main areas of SEND.

Training opportunities

The team runs a variety of courses aimed at all early years practitioners including: 

  • three-day SENCO training
  • workshops on running language groups, working with parents, promoting well-being and positive behaviour management
  • case discussion days
  • inclusion conferences covering topics such as brain development and coming to terms with a diagnosis

Training opportunities can be accessed via Best Brent.

Referrals to EYIST

Most of the children supported by the EYIT are either:

  • identified by the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) or key worker
  • already known to other agencies or professionals.

The team is also contacted by community paediatricians and other health professionals, or parents seeking the team's involvement with their child in a private, voluntary or independent setting.

Referrals can only be accepted with the written consent of parents.

Once the referral is made, the team:

  • will hold an initial consultation to share information and agree the next steps - with the child’s parents encouraged to attend
  • make regular visits to devise and implement education plans, monitor and review the needs of the child and make onward referrals if appropriate
  • continue to work with families right up until the point the child is due to start school, including providing a transition pack and support plan so the new school is ready.

Forms and information to download

Transition forms

Other forms

Leaflets and posters