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Apply for Inclusion Funding for children with high needs

Inclusion Funding may be available to early years settings, when children with very complex needs would benefit from additional staff support.

Most children with special educational or additional needs are successfully included in educational settings, without the need to increase the number of staff. However, in circumstances where children with the most complex needs would benefit from additional staffing, top-up inclusion funding may be available.

Funding is also available to buy special equipment for individual children, when recommended by an Occupational Therapist.

Who can apply

If you are an early years provider educating children with very complex needs, you may be eligible to apply for inclusion funding.

Other independent childminders, nurseries or pre-schools, validated by the council to provide early learning, can also apply for a contribution towards additional staffing.

We accept applications for funding for children who attend Leicestershire Early Years Providers only. For children that live in Leicestershire, but attend a non-Leicestershire provider, then the provider will request funding from their local authority.

For children that live outside of Leicestershire, but attend a Leicestershire provider, then the provider will request funding from Leicestershire.

When you can apply

Providers can apply for inclusion funding on the following dates:

Dates for the academic year 2021/22
Application due inPanels take place week beginningProviders informed via anycomms week beginning
30 August 202113 September 202120 September 2021
11 October 202125 October 20211 November 2021
8 November 202122 November 202129 November 2021
27 December 202110 January 202217 January 2022
14 February 202228 February 20227 March 2022
11 April 202225 April 20222 May 2022
23 May 20226 June 202213 June 2022

Inclusion Funding threshold criteria    PDF,  269kb

Opens new windowCriteria for allocating Inclusion Funding - birth to 2 years old    PDF,  34kbOpens new window

Criteria for allocating Inclusion Funding - 2 to 5 years old    PDF,  44kbOpens new window

Inclusion Funding application form    Word,  91kbOpens new window

For more information or guidance on the application process, contact the early years SEND inclusion team.

Training for children with medical needs

If you have a child in your provision, or starting your provision, that requires staff to undertake specific medical training, this can be provided by the Diana Service.

We can reimburse providers for up to 2 staff members to receive this specific training.

If you require this training, please email childcare@leics.gov.uk for the attention of Olivia Dale, for approval of the reimbursement.

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