SENIF (Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding)

Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding (SENIF) supports early years settings in Lewisham to include children aged 9 months to 4 years who require additional support beyond Ordinarily Available Provision. It is available to all registered early years providers – Childminders, Nurseries and Schools with nursery age children. SENIF helps ensure children with additional needs can fully access early education by funding targeted support, specialist resources, staff training, and enhanced adult support.

Below you can find the following documents to support understanding and make an application for SENIF.

SENIF Provider guidance and information pack 2025-2026 – this document contains all of the below documents.

SENIF Threshold of needs table

SENIF Provision mapping blank format and example

SENIF Panel process - how to guide

SENIF Guidance

SENIF application form

SENIF application form completed example

SENIF APDR

SENIF Frequently asked questions

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) information for SENIF applications

One page profile for children with SEND