From 2026-27, the Early Years Census collects information about children's special educational needs. You can record up to two SEN types per child (Primary and Secondary) using the existing SEN tab in Synergy. This data helps the DfE understand SEN provision across early years settings and is required for all three termly census periods.
Before you start
To complete these steps, you need:
The child's COP Stage (K = SEN Support or E = EHCP)
Primary SEN type (mandatory when COP Stage is K or E)
Secondary SEN type (optional)
⚠️Important: Primary SEN (Rank 1) is mandatory for census when a child has COP Stage K (SEN Support) or E (EHCP). Without this, you'll receive validation error 2193.
Add a Primary SEN record
In Synergy FIS, navigate to the child record.
Click the SEN tab.
Click the Special Needs sub-tab.
Click the Add (+) button.
From the Special Need Category dropdown, select the category.
From the Special Need dropdown, select the specific need (for example, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech Language and Communication Needs).
In the Start Date field, enter the date or accept the default (child's date of birth).
Leave End Date blank if the need is ongoing.
Select the Primary checkbox.
In the Rank field, enter 1.
Click Save.
Add a Secondary SEN record (optional)
If the child has a secondary special educational need:
In the same Special Needs sub-tab, click the Add (+) button again.
Select the Special Need Category and Special Need for the secondary need.
Enter the Start Date (or accept the default).
Leave End Date blank if ongoing.
Clear the Primary checkbox (this is the secondary need).
In the Rank field, enter 2.
Click Save.
⚠️Warning: You cannot have the same SEN type for both Primary and Secondary. The system prevents duplicate SEN types.
Check your SEN records
After adding SEN records:
The Special Needs grid shows both records
Rank 1 has the Primary checkbox selected
Rank 2 does not have Primary selected
Both records show appropriate start dates
🤓Tip: You can add more SEN records with Rank 3, 4, etc. for case management purposes. However, only Rank 1 and Rank 2 are exported to census.