SEND Services in Merton
Merton, a South West London borough blending suburban calm with urban access, offers dedicated SEND support in Merton through its Local Offer and impartial guidance from the Merton Information, Advice and Support Service (MIASS). With lower child poverty rates than the London average, families here benefit from a relatively stable environment for accessing services, while the council actively plans ahead through its School Places Strategy to meet growing needs amid rising national EHCP trends. Parents new to the system can feel reassured knowing Merton holds its own against neighbours, with timely assessments aligning to statutory timelines and a focus on expanding specialist resources.
In Merton's stable environment, where timely assessments and expanding specialist resources give families a solid foundation, JakTrack steps in as your quiet companion, helping you feel prepared and in control as evidence from daily life builds effortlessly over time. Starting early means walking into MIASS meetings or EHCP reviews with patterns spotted and insights ready, so you stay supported without the overwhelm. It's that reassuring sense of having everything organised, just when you need it most. see how JakTrack can help
Schools & SEND Provision
72
Schools
5
Specialist
12
SEN Units & Resource Bases
32,265
Total Pupils
4,663 pupils
2,028 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 Merton's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
Merton Information, Advice and Support Service (MIASS)
Parent Carer Forum
Kids First
Kids First is Merton's forum for parents of children and young people with disabilities or special needs. Kids First provides workshops and other support activities for parents with a view to supporting them in their caring role.
SEND Team
Merton SEN Team
Portage
Portage Service
Educational Psychology
Merton Educational Psychology Service
Occupational Therapy
NHS Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
NHS Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service
Other Services
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Merton Sensory Support Service
SEN Transport
Adult Social Care Learning Disabilities (Transitions Team)
NHS Paediatric Dietetics
NHS Children's Physiotherapy
NHS Wheelchair Service
Merton Talking Therapies
Mediation / Disagreement Resolution
Educational Psychology
Merton Educational Psychology Service
Autism Assessment / Autism team
Merton Autism Outreach Service (MAOS)
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)
Merton CAMHS
Home to School Transport / Travel Assistance
SEN Travel Assistance
Personal Budgets / Direct Payments
Short Breaks Service
Preparing for Adulthood / Transition team
My.Futures
Early Help / Family Support
Early Years and Family Wellbeing Service
Sensory Support Service
Continuing Care
Merton Children's Continuing Care (CCC)
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Blossom House School
SpecialCricket Green School
SpecialLavender Lodge School
SpecialMelrose School
SpecialGoodCranmer Primary School
PrimaryGoodHarris Primary Academy Merton
PrimaryHatfeild Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedRaynes Park High School
SecondaryRicards Lodge High School
SecondaryRutlish School
SecondaryNot judgedWest Wimbledon Primary School
PrimaryGoodUnderstanding 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 Merton.
Navigating SEND in Merton?
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