Each setting will have an appointed Inclusion Lead.

There will be a display in the setting that signposts staff, parents and visitors to information regarding the award as well as information in regard to finding help and information in regard to SEND.

All staff will have an awareness of speech, language and communication needs.

All staff will have an awareness of Special Education Needs and Disabilities

All staff will know how to access information or local services and support groups for parents

Settings will provide evidence to the award panel and must meet the 8 outcomes that make up the award.

The Level 1 award must be refreshed after 2 years, settings who have subsequently been working towards the Level 2 award will be reassessed during the process of that award.

Upon completion of level 1 all of the settings will be able to display a plaque within the setting, the award logo will be published on their Family Information page.

Having achieved Level 1 of the award, settings must now demonstrate their ability to meet the needs of young children with SEND within the framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This will be achieved by:

•    Establishing (or developing) their practice in accordance with all relevant Autism Education Trust early years standards

•     Establishing (or developing) competencies of all staff, appropriate to their needs and role, in accordance with the Autism Education Trust early years competency framework

• Establishing (or developing) their  practice in regard to The Speech, Language and Communication Framework
•   Establishing (or developing) competencies of all staff, appropriate to their needs and role, in regard to The Speech, Language and Communication Framework

The Level 2 award must be refreshed after3 years, settings who have subsequently been working towards the Level 3 award will be reassessed during the process of that award.

Upon completion of level 2 all of the settings will be able to display a plaque  within the setting, the award logo will be published on their Family Information page

Registered providers are required to complete and submit an Expression of Interest Form.

Upon approval for the Early Years team they will then be asked to complete a letter of agreement.

This will commit the setting to completing the Brighter Futures Inclusion Award documentation which will be submitted to the Early Years Team and the verification panel as part of the validation process no later than 9 months from the agreed start date.

The Early Years Team are responsible for overseeing the award process from application to presentation of the award gained.

In conjunction with the setting a training plan is agreed and delivered using  the trainers from within the Early Years team and also external trainers who are experts in the required field.

Brighter Beginnings is the Reading programme to support preschool children who have SEND, particular regard is given to social communication difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder, their families and practitioners who work with them.

Brighter  Beginnings is underpinned by these principles:

1. An understanding of SEND is essential for sound educational practice.

2. Professionals need to work with parents as partners to maximise benefits for children with SEND.

3. Children can benefit from inclusive education.

4. Parents can trust that the setting is inclusive and have confidence they will provide support to children as individuals.

There are 3 levels to the award.

1. All settings displaying this award have met the 8 competencies which ensure the setting is working within the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice
2. Settings are able to meet the individual needs of children with SEND, they have the knowledge and confidence to ensure the correct support is provided for each child.
3.  Settings have the confidence and knowledge to support parents in writing applications for EHCP’s

Please e-mail any questions to Brighter.Beginnings@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Telephone: 01189374730, Early Years Team

2019 -

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 11^th September

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 4^th September

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 16^th October

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 9^th October

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 13^th November

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 6^th November

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 11^th December

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 4^th December

2020 -

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 15^th January

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 8^th January

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 12^th February

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 5^th February

Panel Meeting – Wednesday 18^th March

Portfolio Submission Deadline – Wednesday 11^th March