Early Years Complex Needs Service

The Early Years Complex Needs Service (EYCN) is an education-based service for children with significant or complex developmental delay in two or more areas of development. One of these areas must be cognition (acquiring knowledge or understanding).

Devon Early Years Complex Needs Service is affiliated to the National Portage Association (NPA) and is based on the principle that parents and carers are the key figures in the care and development of their child.

Our aims are to work with families and children so that they are able to learn together, play together, participate and be included in their community. We can work with families in their own homes providing parents with strategies, and ideas to support their child’s development based on difficulties described and identified.

Early Support Advisory Teachers (ESATs) can provide strategies, skills and ideas for preschools, nurseries and childminders staff to support the successful inclusion of children with complex needs. ESATs will contribute to and guide parents and settings to request an Education Health and Care Assessment

We also provide support for families in their local communities, this can include group sessions in Devon Family Hubs for children with SEND.

During the summer holidays we offered 34 events across Devon during the summer holidays. These activities were funded through Devon Short Breaks for families who have a child 0 – 5 years who access support from the Early Years Complex Needs Team. The events were open for the whole family and were attended by just over 100 families.

Feedback from parents/carers:

Isabelle actually wanted to get out of her pushchair at Stover to explore. It was wonderful to see

To have the freedom as a family to enjoy new places together in our own way without the rest of the world commenting. We have had the best summer holidays we have ever had, thank you

Made well was a totally new and enjoyable experience!

Being able to take Darcie swimming in a calm and relaxed environment has proved to us that she can still enjoy activities in the right environment. Darcie absolutely thrived over the 3 sessions and grew so confident in the water. We are now on the waiting list for swimming lessons at the Pathfields hydro pool

My family and I had a fantastic time and would love to do it again in future

These events have given us somewhere safe and accepting to go in the holidays, without them most days we would be stuck at home

These organised events and regular groups are life changing to children and parents/carers. They are invaluable. Allowing parents to enjoy new experiences with their kids where they are well looked after and parents are supported. It’s a safe encouraging space for all

To find out more about our service or to make a request for support from our team, please visit our website Early Years Complex Needs (EYCN) Service – Education and Families (devon.gov.uk)

 

  

Above images: photos taken from some of the events provided by the Early Years Complex Needs Service.