All requests for support will now come through the Early Years Single Request for Support (EYSRfS) process.
Following submission of the request for support form, requests will be considered through a triage process which will determine the most appropriate support pathway. These will be held weekly so that decision making can be sped up, and children, family and settings’ needs can be responded to in a timely way.
The process has been developed to ensure:
- a greater emphasis on partnership working
- focus on removing children’s barriers to learning and accessing their education
- simpler and more transparent access to support
- more consistent decision making
- improving inclusion and outcomes
- support that enables children to access their full early years entitlement within their local community setting.
Support pathways
Requests may result in one of three support pathway.: Settings will be able to opt for relevant pathway depending on their need or an alternative support pathway may be offered depending on the information within the form.
- Setting support
- Support to strengthen inclusive practice, workforce development and SEND leadership.
- Includes training, coaching, environmental reviews and support with implementing OAIP and OATS.
- Group support
- Early intervention for small groups of children with shared needs.
- May include targeted interventions, workforce development and group funding.
- Individual child support
- Targeted or specialist support for children with more complex or persistent needs.
- May include setting visits, home visits, family support, specialist involvement and SENIF funding where appropriate.
What providers need to do
Before submitting a request, providers should consider how they can demonstrate:
- Implementation of Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision (OAIP) and self assessment of inclusive provision
- Use of Ordinarily Available Targeted Support (OATS)
- An effective use of the graduated approach and Assess, Plan, Do, Review process for individual children
- Evidence of what has been tried
- Evidence of impact
- Clear intended outcomes
- Parent and carer involvement throughout the process.
Providers are encouraged to focus on the impact of strategies and reasonable adjustments and building a picture of how additional support or resource will be implemented rather than seeking access to a particular service.
SENIF applications
Under the new arrangements there will be one request process for all early years providers. Where appropriate, SENIF funding may form part of the support pathway identified through triage. Providers will no longer need to consider separate referral routes before making a request.
Further information
To support implementation, please read the accompanying documents:
- Early Years and Childcare Service – Single Request for Support Launch Pack Autumn 2026 for an overview of the new approach and key changes.
- EY SRfS Guidance Document September 2026 – for detailed information about the triage process, support pathways, eligibility criteria and provider expectations.
- Webinar sessions will be delivered to support settings to understand the new process and explore the application form – dates to be confirmed.
Request for home support
Request for home support from Families and Health professionals will continue to use the current Request for Support for families form.
Early Years providers will need to use the new Single Request for Support form for all requests, including support in the home through the Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT)
How to make a request for support
Please use the Early Years Single Request for Support form. It allows you to request setting, group or individual support and funding.
The process will now move to a weekly triage process. Forms submitted from Monday to Sunday each week will be reviewed at the Triage meeting the following Wednesday. You will be notified of the outcome within a maximum of 10 working days via email.
This request form is only for education services and is not a request for health, early help or social care support.