SEND Services in Bolton
In Bolton, a bustling metropolitan borough in the North West, SEND support is designed to meet the needs of children and families through a strong local network of mainstream and specialist settings. The council is actively investing in staff training for 2025-2026, with courses on supporting social, emotional, and mental health needs, ADHD, and attachment alongside autism, helping schools better include children with additional needs right from the early years. Initiatives like Early Years SEND Transition Funding ensure smooth moves to primary school for those in the EHCP process, while national SEND reforms planned for 2026 promise further improvements. For impartial guidance at any stage, contact Bolton's Information Advisory Service - they're here to help you navigate it all with confidence.
As you navigate Bolton's SEND system - whether you're in the early years, preparing for transition, or working through the EHCP process - JakTrack sits quietly alongside you, helping you build a clear picture of your child's needs over time. By tracking the everyday moments that matter (sleep patterns, mealtimes, behaviour, mood), you'll spot what's really going on and have that evidence ready when you need it most, whether that's for a school conversation, a professional appointment, or an EHCP review. Starting early means you're not scrambling to remember details later; instead, you're walking into every meeting feeling prepared, supported, and genuinely in control of your child's story. see how JakTrack can help
Schools & SEND Provision
144
Schools
13
Specialist
14
SEN Units & Resource Bases
57,557
Total Pupils
7,143 pupils
3,063 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 Bolton's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
Bolton's Information Advisory Service
EHCP
EHCP request formSEN Team
SEND Assessment Service
SENDAS c/o School ICT, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton BL1 6JT
Median assessment: 20 weeks (legal limit: 20)
SEND Team
SEN Strategy and Development
SENDAS c/o School ICT, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton BL1 6JT
Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy
Other Services
Preparing for Adulthood / Transition team
Direct Payments / Personal Budgets
Home to School Transport / Travel Assistance
Autism Pathway / Autism Assessment
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)
Mediation / Disagreement Resolution
Woodbridge SEND Service
Waggon Road Young People's Centre, Waggon Road, Bolton BL2 5AB
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Green Fold School
SpecialOutstandingRaise Education and Wellbeing School
SpecialRumworth School
SpecialBirtenshaw College
SpecialBreightmet School
SpecialEdStart Schools Bolton
SpecialLifeBridge ASEND
SpecialWoodbridge College
SpecialAll Saints CofE Primary School
PrimaryBolton St Catherine's Academy
All-throughNot judgedClaypool Primary School
PrimaryGrosvenor Nursery School and Day Care Centre
NurseryQueensbridge Primary School
PrimaryGoodBlackrod Anglican/Methodist Primary School
PrimaryMoorgate Primary School
PrimaryRivington and Blackrod High School
SecondaryGoodSharples Primary School
PrimaryUnderstanding 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 Bolton.
Navigating SEND in Bolton?
JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.
See How JakTrack Helps
Social Care
Children with Disabilities Team
Castle Hill Centre, Castleton Street, Bolton BL2 2JW