Refer a child for SENISS support (private, voluntary and independent providers)

Our SENISS team can offer support for children with SEND in pre-school settings that are run by private, voluntary and independent providers (PVI). 

Decisions on whether you can access support from SENISS are made in partnership with the EYS SEND Team and Local Authority High Needs Panel. The EYS SEND Team commission many SEND support services and they may decide that another support team is more appropriate.

Who can make a referral?

If you are allocated SENISS support, the SENISS teacher will specifically request that the PVI setting completes the referral. 

Before you make a referral

Before making a referral, you must follow the steps below.

1. Gain consent to make the referral from the adult with parental responsibility for the child.
2. Share the SEND service privacy notice with the adult with parental responsibility so they understand how we use, store and share any personal data we collect.
3. Explain the virtual offer to the adult with parental responsibility. SENISS may carry out meetings, consultations and assessments online. We call this the 'virtual offer'. During a virtual assessment, we observe children and young people working, playing and interacting with their peers and record these sessions. These videos are then stored electronically and securely, and deleted when the assessment process is complete. We also make sure we adhere to guidelines set by National Online Safety and the Liverpool School Improvement Safeguarding Team. 

Make a referral 

If you have read the information and followed the steps above, you can make an online SENISS support referral using the link below.

Make a SENISS support referral in a PVI setting 

What happens next?

Once a referral has been received, a member of the SENISS team will contact you about the referral.

Further information

If you need any further information, help or advice with a SENISS referral, please email seniss@liverpool.gov.uk.