All Local Authorities

SEND Services in Middlesbrough

North EastUnitary Authority
Council website

Middlesbrough, a vibrant unitary authority in the North East, offers dedicated SEND support tailored to its urban communities, with South Tees SENDIASS from Barnardo's providing impartial guidance for families navigating the system. Following a full Area SEND inspection by Ofsted in December 2023 and recent focused visits in 2024 and January 2026, the local authority continues to refine its services to better meet children's needs. Parents can feel reassured knowing help is close at hand, whether through the local offer or specialist provisions designed for the area's diverse families.

With South Tees SENDIASS and the local offer providing that vital guidance right here in Middlesbrough, JakTrack steps in as your everyday companion, helping you feel prepared and in control as you log daily moments like sleep, meals, and behaviour. It quietly spots patterns and builds a strong evidence base over time, so starting early means walking into EHCP reviews or appointments supported and empowered, without the overwhelm. Families tell us it brings a real sense of calm amidst the journey. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

59

Schools

5

Specialist

17

SEN Units & Resource Bases

25,886

Total Pupils

15.8%receive SEN Support

4,081 pupils

6.2%have an EHCP

1,604 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 Middlesbrough's Local Offer

IASS

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

South Tees SENDIASS (Barnardo's)

Parent Carer Forum

Local Offer - Middlesbrough Facebook Group

Facebook page

EHCP

SEN Team

SEND Team

Inclusion and Specialist Support Service

Formally the SEN Assessment Team and Alternative Provision team. Single point of contact available 5 days a week.

Occupational Therapy

South Tees NHS Occupational Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

South Tees NHS Speech & Language Therapy

Social Care

Other Services

Teeswide Family Support Service (Daisy Chain)

Middlesbrough Children Matter

Home to School Transport

Mediation / Disagreement Resolution

Preparing for Adulthood / Transition

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Beverley School

Special
Ages 4-19TS4 3JS
Autism

Hollis Academy

SpecialGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 85TS4 3JS
Social & Emotional

Holmwood School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 4-11Capacity: 85TS4 3PT
Social & Emotional

Priory Woods School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 3-19Capacity: 200TS3 0RH
Severe LearningProfound & Multiple

Hopefields Education CiC

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 40TS2 1RH

Green Lane Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 630TS5 7RU
Social & Emotional

Pennyman Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 440TS3 0QS
OtherPhysical
SEN unit: 55 places

Sunnyside Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 350TS8 0RJ
VisualHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryModerate Learning
Resource base: 74 places

The King's Academy

Secondary
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1530TS8 0GA
VisualHearingModerate LearningSevere Learning
Resource base: 78 places

Acklam Grange School

Secondary
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1470TS5 8PB
Autism
Resource base: 10 places

Beech Grove Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 486TS4 3AP
Autism
Resource base: 16 places

Easterside Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 294TS4 3RG
Other
Resource base: 15 places

Hemlington Hall Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 385TS8 9SJ
Speech & LanguageAutismModerate Learning
Resource base: 32 places

Lift Unity City

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1050TS3 8RE
Moderate Learning
Resource base: 30 places

Marton Manor Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 192TS7 8RH
Autism
Resource base: 14 places

Outwood Academy Acklam

SecondaryNot judged
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1350TS5 7JY
AutismModerate Learning
Resource base: 20 places

Outwood Academy Ormesby

SecondaryInadequate
Ages 11-16Capacity: 825TS3 0RH
Speech & Language
Resource base: 25 places

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 Middlesbrough.

You can make a written request to Middlesbrough's SEND team, explaining why you believe your child has special educational needs and why they may need support through an EHC Plan. It's helpful to speak to your child's school or nursery first about your concerns. You'll need to include a signed consent form with your request, which allows the local authority to contact services that support your child for additional evidence. You can download a template letter and consent form from Middlesbrough Council's website to help you with this.
South Tees SENDIASS (run by Barnardo's) provides free, impartial information, advice and support to parents and young people about special educational needs and disabilities. They can guide you through the statutory assessment process and help you understand your rights. You can contact them on 01642 310806 or email [email protected] for support.
Middlesbrough has 5 specialist schools, 4 schools with dedicated SEN units, and 13 schools with resource bases to support children with additional needs. This provision supports the 1,604 pupils currently with an EHCP and 4,081 pupils receiving SEN Support across the borough's 59 schools.
The Local Offer is a comprehensive guide to all the SEND support, services and provision available in your area for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. You can access Middlesbrough's Local Offer at http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/middlesbrough/fsd/localoffer.page?familychannelnew=8, which includes information about schools, services, and support available to families.
The local authority has 6 weeks from receiving your request to decide whether to proceed with an EHC assessment. If they agree to assess, the full assessment process takes up to 20 weeks, after which they will issue a final EHC Plan if appropriate. Once your child has an EHC Plan, it must be reviewed at least once a year to check progress and ensure it continues to meet their needs.

Navigating SEND in Middlesbrough?

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