Schools’ Early Years Forum

Supporting Your Child’s Start in School: The Schools’ Early Years Forum (SEYF)

Helping nursery-aged children with SEND get the best possible start in education.

What is the Schools’ Early Years Forum?

The Schools’ Early Years Forum (SEYF) is a way for professionals from education, health, and social care to work together to support young children with additional needs in Stoke-on-Trent. If your child is nursery-aged or younger and attends a school nursery, the SEYF helps make sure they get the right support early on.

This joined-up approach means that everyone involved with your child—like teachers, health visitors, and therapists—can share information and plan together to help your child thrive.

Why is this important?

Starting school can be a big step, especially for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The SEYF helps identify what support your child might need before they start full-time school, so they can have the best possible start.

Who is involved?

The SEYF brings together professionals from:

  • Health (e.g. paediatricians, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists)
  • Education (e.g. educational psychologists, SEND services, early years specialists)
  • Social Care (e.g. family support workers, disability teams)

They meet monthly to discuss how best to support children who have been referred.

How does a child get referred?

If your child attends a school nursery in Stoke-on-Trent and shows delays in two or more areas of development, the school can refer them to the SEYF. Health professionals can also refer children who live in Stoke-on-Trent and attend a school nursery.

Your consent is always needed before a referral is made.
The school will ask you to share your views and provide information about your child’s strengths, needs, and any professionals already involved.

What happens after a referral?

  • The referral is reviewed by Early Years SEND Caseworkers.
  • If accepted, you’ll receive a letter with the date your child will be discussed at the Forum.
  • The school will also receive this letter and will prepare a report.
  • You’ll be asked to complete a Parent Comment Form to share your thoughts and experiences. The school will send this to the Forum along with their report.

What happens after the meeting?

After your child is discussed:

  • The school will receive a Feedback Pack with all reports and recommendations.
  • The school will share this pack with you (either by email or paper copy).
  • You’ll be told when your child will next be discussed.

If the Forum recommends an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment, the school will guide you through the next steps and help with the paperwork.

Which children can be referred?

Children who:

  • Live in Stoke-on-Trent (i.e. you pay council tax to Stoke-on-Trent City Council)
  • Are nursery-aged or younger
  • Show significant delays in two or more areas of development

Already known to the Early Years Forum?

If your child was already known to the Early Years Forum before starting school, they will automatically transfer to the SEYF. The school will be kept informed and will continue to contribute to the support planning.