All Local Authorities

SEND Services in Cambridgeshire

East of EnglandCounty Council
Council website

Navigating SEND support in Cambridgeshire can feel overwhelming, especially in this mostly rural county where access to services sometimes varies by distance from urban hubs like Cambridge, but you're not alone - families here benefit from a dedicated Cambridgeshire SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) ready to guide you every step. Cambridgeshire's overall SEND identification sits slightly below the national average at 17.8%, though EHCP rates are higher than average, reflecting strong efforts to meet complex needs through the ambitious SEND Transformation Programme running until 2026, which is expanding special school places and improving mainstream inclusion. While financial pressures and past Ofsted findings highlight ongoing challenges like inconsistent experiences, recent investments and a Safety Valve agreement with the government signal real commitment to building sustainable local provision that keeps children at the heart of it all.

With the SEND Transformation Programme working to expand places and smooth out those inconsistent experiences across Cambridgeshire's rural stretches, JakTrack steps in as your steady companion, helping you feel prepared and in control as you log daily evidence on sleep, meals, and behaviour that AI insights turn into clear patterns over time. Starting early builds a powerful case for appointments or EHCP reviews, so you walk in supported and confident, no matter the distance to Cambridge. Families tell us it brings that sense of calm amid the overwhelm, keeping you focused on what matters most - your child. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

309

Schools

29

Specialist

17

SEN Units & Resource Bases

103,626

Total Pupils

13.2%receive SEN Support

13,672 pupils

5.8%have an EHCP

5,986 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 Cambridgeshire's Local Offer

IASS

Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.

Cambridgeshire SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Parent Carer Forum

Pinpoint: Cambridgeshire Parent Carer Forum

Parent carer forum providing support and voice for families of children and young people with SEND

Facebook page

EHCP

EHCP request form

SEN Team

Statutory Assessment Team (SAT)

PE29 3AD

Median assessment: 20 weeks (legal limit: 20)

SEND Team

SEND Hub

Main contact for SEND information and support in Cambridgeshire

Short Breaks

Short breaks information

Short Breaks Services

Various short breaks services available across Cambridgeshire including residential and community-based options

Portage

Portage Service

Home-visiting educational support for pre-school children with additional needs

Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology Service

Educational psychology services for children and young people with SEND

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Service

Occupational therapy services for children with additional needs

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy Service

PE3 6AP

Social Care

Children's Social Care

Social care services for children with disabilities and additional needs

Other Services

Autism Pathway / Autism Assessment

Cambridgeshire Lifespan Autism Spectrum Service (CLASS) Clinic

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)

Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service

Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service

Wheelchair Service

NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Wheelchair Service

Sleep Service

Preparing for Adulthood / Transition team

Sensory Support Service

Cambridgeshire Deaf Association

Community Paediatrics

Community Paediatrics

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Aurora Meldreth Manor School

Special
Ages 6-19Capacity: 60SG8 6LG
PhysicalModerate LearningSevere Learning

Begdale House School

Special
Ages 10-17Capacity: 36PE14 0AZ
Social & Emotional

Cambian Home Tree School

Special
Ages 12-18Capacity: 25PE14 0LP
Social & Emotional

Cambian Wisbech School

Special
Ages 7-17Capacity: 51PE13 1JF
Social & Emotional

Granta School

SpecialRequires Improvement
Ages 2-19Capacity: 180CB21 4NN
Moderate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Gretton School

Special
Ages 5-19Capacity: 200CB3 0RX
Autism

Highfield Ely Academy

Special
Ages 2-19Capacity: 134CB6 1BD
Moderate LearningSevere Learning

Holme Court School

Special
Ages 7-16Capacity: 55CB1 8DW
Specific LearningSevere Learning

Meadowgate Academy

Special
Ages 2-19PE13 2JH
Specific LearningVisualSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate LearningSevere Learning

On Track Education Wisbech

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 24PE13 2RJ
Social & Emotional

Riverside Meadows Academy

SpecialNot judged
Ages 11-18Capacity: 120PE19 1DZ
Social & Emotional

Samuel Pepys School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 165PE19 2EZ
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Shelldene House School

Special
Ages 12-19Capacity: 12PE14 0HJ
Social & Emotional

Spring Common Academy

SpecialNot judged
Ages 2-19Capacity: 209PE29 1TQ
AutismModerate LearningSevere Learning

The Centre School

SpecialGood
Ages 11-19Capacity: 130CB24 8UA
Social & Emotional

The Martin Bacon Academy

SpecialNot judged
Ages 3-19Capacity: 154CB24 1DH
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

The Old School House

Special
Ages 7-16Capacity: 12PE14 0HA
Social & Emotional

Active Learning Trust Linc 19 - 25

Special
Ages 19-25Capacity: 16CB6 1BD

Aurora Fairway School

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 49PE27 6AL

Castle School, Cambridge

SpecialRequires Improvement
Ages 2-19Capacity: 234CB4 2EE

Highfield Littleport Academy

SpecialGood
Ages 2-19Capacity: 144CB6 1LJ

Hope Tree School

Special
Ages 7-16Capacity: 36CB24 9NG

In Toto Ed Cambridge

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 36CB7 5LL

Papworth Hall School

Special
Ages 5-16Capacity: 36CB23 3RD

Prestley Wood Academy

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 150PE28 4BL

Selwyn Hall School

Special
Ages 7-18Capacity: 80CB22 6SE

The Cavendish School

SpecialOutstanding
Ages 7-18Capacity: 80CB24 9LY

The Harbour School

SpecialRequires Improvement
Ages 5-16Capacity: 104CB6 3RR

Walnut Tree School Ltd

Special
Ages 8-16Capacity: 30PE13 5BL

Colville Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 210CB1 9EJ
Speech & Language
Resource base: 11 places

Spring Meadow Infant School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-7Capacity: 180CB7 4RB
Specific LearningOtherSpeech & LanguageAutismModerate Learning
SEN unit: 9 places

Witchford Village College

Secondary
Ages 11-16Capacity: 900CB6 2JA
Autism
Resource base: 13 places

Buckden CofE Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 5-11Capacity: 350PE19 5TT
Specific LearningOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate Learning

Comberton Village College

SecondaryNot judged
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1700CB23 7DU
Autism
Resource base: 68 places

Gamlingay Village Primary

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 420SG19 3HD
AutismModerate LearningSevere Learning
Resource base: 11 places

Impington Village College

SecondaryNot judged
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1370CB24 9LX
Physical
Resource base: 44 places

Melbourn Village College

SecondaryNot judged
Ages 11-16Capacity: 740SG8 6EF
Autism
Resource base: 10 places

Red Balloon Learner Centre - Cambridge

Special
Ages 11-19Capacity: 50CB24 6DF
Social & Emotional

St Laurence Catholic Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 315CB4 2JX
Social & Emotional

Thomas Clarkson Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1440PE13 2SE
Moderate Learning
Resource base: 22 places

Townley Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 86PE14 9NA
Social & Emotional

Understanding 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 Cambridgeshire.

You can request an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment by contacting Cambridgeshire's Statutory Assessment Team (SAT) and submitting the request form available on their website. Schools or parents can start this after trying school support like Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycles, and providing evidence of your child's needs. The local authority decides within weeks whether to proceed with a full assessment.
Cambridgeshire SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) offers independent information, advice, and support for children and young people with SEND and their families. They can help with the EHCP process, understanding rights, and resolving disagreements. Contact them at 0300 365 1010 or [email protected].
Cambridgeshire has 29 specialist schools, plus 5 schools with SEN units and 12 with resource bases, supporting children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Around 5,986 pupils (5.8% of total) have an EHCP. These provisions help meet diverse special educational needs.
The Local Offer is a guide to all SEND services and support available in Cambridgeshire for children and families, including education, health, and care options. You can find Cambridgeshire's Local Offer at their online directory. It covers EHCPs, schools, and more to help you navigate support.
Cambridgeshire's EHCP assessment process typically takes a median of 20 weeks from request to issuing the final plan, in line with national guidelines. The initial decision on whether to assess comes sooner, around 4-6 weeks. Delays can happen, so contact SENDIASS for updates.

Navigating SEND in Cambridgeshire?

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