• DSPL2 Professionals Calendar

• DSPL2 Family Calendar

• DSPL2 Weekly News Highlights

• DSPL2 LHNF Panels

• DSPL2 SEND Information

• VSEND in Early Years

• DSPL2 Resource Library

https://events.hertfordshire.gov.uk/send-academy

The Hertfordshire Early Years SEND Team offers a comprehensive programme of training designed to support early years practitioners to confidently meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Grounded in best practice and local guidance, our training provides practical strategies, increased understanding, and opportunities for reflection to strengthen inclusive practice across settings. Sessions are delivered by experienced specialists and aim to build workforce confidence, strengthen inclusive practice, promote early identification, and improve outcomes for young children and their families. The offer includes a range of face to face and online training opportunities as well as Statutory SEND vlogs and SEND information and support sessions.

This course is designed specifically for parents/carers of autistic children or children on the autism pathway. It aims to provide you with the essential knowledge, practical strategies and valuable resources to support both you and your child in navigating everyday life.

See below for more information and booking:-

Support babies’ brain development by understanding how early relationships and everyday interactions shape their future.

This free online training is designed for professionals working with families and children aged 0–3 across universal and targeted services.

Whether you work in health visiting, midwifery, family centres, safeguarding, or specialist support—there’s a session tailored for you.

For any questions, please contact CSStrategic.Partnerships@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

Playskill supports children with physical disabilities and delays, and their families in Hertfordshire.

We support children from birth to five years where there are concerns over their physical development*. This could be due to a medical diagnosis, e.g. physical disability, cerebral palsy/birth injury, Down Syndrome, genetic condition, global development delay, visual impairment, Spina Bifida or a delay with any of the physical milestones* for an undiagnosed/unknown reason.

*Physical milestones:

This could be rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, feeding themselves, holding on to objects, using both hands together.

0-5's offer

Information on the 0-5's offer is attached below. 

Step 2 referrals and queries

• Step 2 are very willing to speak to schools, and want to do more to actively encourage referrers to email in or call to arrange duty calls to discuss cases they have questions about.
• Step 2 welcome ‘pre conversations’ about potential referral is made, ensuring that the right children get support at the right time.

Next steps

If you have any queries about referrals which are not accepted, please email hct.step2@nhs.net or call 01438 730570 to arrange a duty call. They run duty calls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You may need to wait a week for a slot, but they will definitely book you in.

In the meantime, Step 2 will be providing information/presenting at the summer/autumn DSPL meetings so that we can share this information with as many schools as possible. We’ll also be sharing guidance in the EMWiE newsletter.

Find a selection of resources on children’s bowels and bladders – including on potty training – that may be helpful for early years settings. There are more helpful resources available across our website.

Free helpline: 0808 801 0343 Mon to Thur, 10am - 2pm

eric website

Webinar recordings of high quality material from our REACHout East of England Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.

See the Early Years Noticeboard - for courses

NHS Children & Young Peoples Speech and Language Therapy Service more information and resources.

FOLLOW:  An easy-to-use set of simple ideas to help support your child's speech and language at home.  You'll find top tips on using the key strategies in everyday activities, such as going for a walk, getting ready to go out and feeding the ducks!

https://www.stevenagedspl.org.uk/page/?title=Support+Links+for+Families&pid=36

TRACKS is a specialist early years provider for autistic children and those showing neurodiversity.

TRACKS Autism

National Literacy Trust

Access all of our resources for early years, primary and secondary schools.