Information for parents
Health professionals must formally notify the local authority if they identify a child under compulsory school age (0 to 5-years-old) who they think has or probably has a special educational need (SEN) or disability in line with Section 23 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
If your child has or probably has SEN, then your GP, Health Visitor, Paediatrician or other health professional has to inform the Local Authority of this. This is so that the Local Authority can make long-term plans for the types of services that may be needed for your child in the future.
Your email contact details are requested on the notification form. This is so that you can be sent information by the Local Authority about funding and support.
Everyone working for the Local Authority and the National Health Service has a legal duty to keep information about you and your child confidential.
All services working with you and your child need up-to-date information. We only ever use or pass on information if there is a real need to do so.
For more information about what we share, who we share it with, how we store your data and your rights, please read Derbyshire County Council's Privacy Notices.
Information for Health Professionals
How do I notify the Local Authority?
If you are a professional who'd like to bring a child with suspected SEN to our attention, please complete the Section 1 Notification of the EYSEN Panel referral form attached to this page.
How do I send my notification?
Once you've completed your notification, send it by email to: Education.SENAdmin@derbyshire.gov.uk
If you are unable to email the notification, please send by post to:
Business Services Assistant to Early Years SEN Panel Special Educational Needs Section Children's Services
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire DE4 3AG
Telephone: 01629 536782 or 01629 536532
If you need to discuss your notification, or have any queries, contact us via EarlyYears.SENHelpline@derbyshire.gov.uk.
What happens next?
Notification to the local authority of a child 0 5-years-old with SEND: section 1 is to be used for the sole purpose of the NHS fulfilling its legal obligation to notify the local authority of a child 0 to 5-years-old with SEND.
This notification will result in the child’s details being added to the council’s children's services database. Parents/carers will also be contacted by email to give them information about funding and support.