SEND Services in Blackburn with Darwen
Blackburn with Darwen is a unitary authority in the North West of England serving over 30,000 pupils across 88 schools, with a range of mainstream and specialist provision to support children and young people with SEND. The local authority's SEND support sits slightly below the national average for pupils receiving SEN support, which means the area has proportionally fewer children identified as needing this level of help compared to England as a whole. If you're navigating SEND support in Blackburn with Darwen for the first time, the SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is your first port of call - they offer free, impartial guidance on everything from understanding your child's needs through to the Education, Health and Care Plan process, and you can reach them on 01254 503049 or [email protected]. You'll also find the Blackburn with Darwen Parent Carer Forum a valuable source of peer support and local knowledge from families who've been through the system.
Whether you're just starting out with SENDIASS or drawing on insights from the Parent Carer Forum, JakTrack gives families in Blackburn with Darwen that reassuring sense of being prepared, supported, and truly in control as you track your child's daily patterns and build a clear picture over time. Starting early means your evidence grows naturally, helping you spot what matters and step into appointments or EHCP discussions with quiet confidence. It's like having a trusted companion right there with you, every step of the way. see how JakTrack can help
Schools & SEND Provision
88
Schools
5
Specialist
5
SEN Units & Resource Bases
30,344
Total Pupils
4,391 pupils
1,384 pupils
Services & Contacts
Local Offer
Every Local Authority must publish a "Local Offer" - a directory of all SEND services and provision in their area.
View Blackburn with Darwen's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
Parent Carer Forum
Blackburn with Darwen Parent Carer Forum
A group of volunteer parent carers from the local area
EHCP
SEN Team
SEND Team
Blackburn with Darwen Council SEND Team
Occupational Therapy
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (via Local Offer)
Speech and Language Therapy
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (via Local Offer)
Other Services
Autism Central North West Hub
Autism Team SEND Support Service
Family Hubs and Children's Centres
MASH Team
Customer Liaison Team
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Aurora Woodlands School
SpecialNewfield School
SpecialNot judgedLower Pastures
SpecialLower Darwen Primary School
PrimaryGoodSt Cuthbert's Church of England Primary School
PrimaryRequires ImprovementUnderstanding school SEND provision
Schools in England provide SEND support at different levels. Here's what each type means:
Specialist School
A school that exclusively educates children with SEND. Smaller classes (typically 6-12 pupils), staff trained in specific needs, and environments designed for children who need more support than mainstream can provide. Places are usually named in an EHCP.
SEN Unit
A dedicated unit within a mainstream school, staffed by specialists. Children are on the roll of the unit but may join mainstream classes for some lessons. Offers a middle ground - specialist support with mainstream social opportunities. Usually requires an EHCP.
Resource Base
Extra resourced provision attached to a mainstream school. Children are on the mainstream roll but can access additional support, equipment, and specialist staff. Some resource bases focus on specific needs like autism or speech and language.
SEN Support (Mainstream)
Every mainstream school has a legal duty to identify and support children with SEND. This includes having a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), providing reasonable adjustments, and putting in place SEN Support plans. You don't need an EHCP for SEN Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from families about SEND support in Blackburn with Darwen.
Navigating SEND in Blackburn with Darwen?
JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.
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