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SEND Services in Sefton

North WestMetropolitan Borough
Council website

Sefton is a metropolitan authority in the North West that has recently refreshed its SEND strategy to place families and young people at the heart of decision-making, with a clear commitment that every child with SEND should thrive in their local community with timely and effective support. The council is actively expanding local specialist provision, including plans for a new SEND school at the former Litherland Moss site that could serve over 160 children and young people with autism and complex needs, reducing the need for families to travel out of borough for education. If you're new to the SEND system in Sefton, Sefton SENDIASS (Information, Advice and Support Service) is your independent source of guidance - they can help you understand the assessment process, your rights, and what support is available to your child. The council's focus on four key priorities - feeling included, developing local provision, improving transitions to adulthood, and strengthening communication - means there's genuine momentum behind improving how SEND support works in practice.

With Sefton's strong emphasis on strengthening communication and placing families at the heart of decision-making, JakTrack empowers you to feel prepared, supported, and truly in control as you gather everyday evidence like sleep, meals, and behaviour patterns. The app's gentle AI insights help you spot what's working for your child, making appointments and EHCP processes less daunting while checking benefit eligibility along the way. Starting early lets that evidence build naturally over time, giving you a clear voice in your child's journey right from the start. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

114

Schools

15

Specialist

18

SEN Units & Resource Bases

42,280

Total Pupils

16%receive SEN Support

6,769 pupils

6.2%have an EHCP

2,615 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 Sefton's Local Offer

IASS

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

Sefton SENDIASS (Information, Advice and Support Service)

Parent Carer Forum

Sefton Parent Carer Forum

EHCP

EHCP request form

Median assessment: 20 weeks (legal limit: 20)

SEND Team

Sefton SEN and Inclusion Service (SENIS)

Short Breaks

Portage

Portage Team

Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology Service

Occupational Therapy

Liverpool Occupational Therapy Services Ltd. (LOTS)

Speech and Language Therapy

Children's Speech and Language Therapy

Social Care

Children with Complex Needs Service

Service Manager: Stephen Shaw. Social Care Advice Line available. Designated Social Care Officer for SEND 0-25: Rufus Beer (07805302521)

Other Services

Aiming High Short Breaks

CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)

ASD and ADHD Specialist Team

Early Help Service

Children's Social Care Team

Home to School Transport

Designated Clinical Officer for SEND

Moving Forward to Adulthood Team

Early Years SEND Team

Health Visiting Service

Virtual School

Supports cared for children and previously cared for children

Autism and Social Communication Team

Complex Needs Team within Sefton's SEN and Inclusion Service

Sleep Service

Aiming High Sleep Service - early intervention and prevention for sleep deprivation

Challenging Behaviour Foundation

Mediation Service

Mediation for SEND disputes - not compulsory but available before tribunal

Preparing for Adulthood Team

Alder Hey Complex Care Support Team for transition to adult services

Sensory Support Service

Merseyside Society for Deaf People - sensory support services

Sensory Support Service (Hearing)

Wheelchair Service

Integrated Care Team

Falls Prevention Team

Vaccinations and Immunisations Team

Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 Transitions Support

Kinship/Special Guardian Support Team

Learning Disabilities Health Check Scheme

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Arden College

Special
Ages 16-25PR9 0TZ
Speech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalModerate LearningSevere Learning

Crosby High School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 11-16Capacity: 175L23 2TH
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate Learning

Merefield School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 116PR8 2QZ
AutismSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Newfield School

Special
Ages 5-16Capacity: 95L23 4TG
Social & Emotional

Olsen House School

Special
Ages 7-16Capacity: 60L23 5TD
Social & Emotional

Peterhouse School

SpecialRequires Improvement
Ages 5-19Capacity: 80PR9 8PA
Autism

Presfield High School and Specialist College

Special
Ages 11-19Capacity: 88PR9 8PA
Autism

Rowan Park School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 320L21 0DB
AutismSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Acre View Primary School

Special
Ages 5-11Capacity: 48L31 4EQ

Educ8 Liverpool

Special
Ages 13-16Capacity: 40L21 3TG

Educ8 Southport

Special
Ages 13-16Capacity: 25PR8 6DG

Foundations for LIFE School

Special
Ages 8-16Capacity: 32L30 4UE

PANDA Schools

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 12L30 9SY

SENDSCOPE

Special
Ages 11-15Capacity: 32L23 5TF

The Motiv8 School

Special
Ages 14-16Capacity: 20L30 1RQ

Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 205PR9 7BZ
Autism

Formby High School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 989L37 3HW
Moderate Learning

Freshfield Primary School

PrimaryOutstanding
Ages 3-11Capacity: 271L37 3JT
AutismSevere Learning
SEN unit: 20 places

Holy Family Catholic High School

Secondary
Ages 11-18Capacity: 869L23 4UL
Specific Learning
SEN unit: 18 places

Hudson Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 210L31 5LE
Autism
SEN unit: 36 places

Marshside Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 222PR9 9XA
Autism

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 460PR8 4LT
Autism

Redgate Community Primary School

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 272L37 4EW
Specific LearningVisualOtherSpeech & LanguageMulti-SensoryPhysicalProfound & Multiple
SEN unit: 39 places

St Michaels Church of England Academy

SecondaryInadequate
Ages 11-18Capacity: 684L23 7UL
Specific LearningAutism

The Grange Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 300L30 0QS
Speech & LanguageAutismSocial & Emotional

Thomas Gray Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 210L20 4LX
Speech & LanguageSocial & EmotionalModerate Learning

Waterloo Primary School

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 420L22 0LD
Autism

Cambridge Nursery School

Nursery
Ages 2-4L20 9LQ
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Greenacre Community Nursery School

Nursery
Ages 2-5L20 6PJ
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Kings Meadow Primary School and Early Years Education Centre

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 228PR8 3RS
Speech & Language
Resource base: 10 places

Meols Cop High School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 925PR8 6JS
Specific LearningAutism
Resource base: 20 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 Sefton.

You can request an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment by contacting Sefton Local Authority. A request can be made by a parent or carer, your child's school, or a professional involved with your child. The Local Authority will then decide within 6 weeks whether to proceed with a full assessment, considering evidence of your child's needs and the support already in place at school.
Sefton SENDIASS (Information, Advice and Support Service) provides free, confidential support to parents, carers, and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. They can help you understand your rights, navigate the EHCP process, prepare for annual reviews, and access support across education, health, and social care. You can contact them on 0151 433 7442 or [email protected].
Sefton has 15 specialist schools dedicated to supporting children with SEND, plus 12 schools with SEN units and 6 schools with resource bases. Children attending specialist provision in Sefton must have an EHCP. If you'd like to know which schools might suit your child's needs, Sefton SENDIASS or your Local Authority can provide guidance.
The Local Offer is a guide that shows what SEND support and services are available in your area for children and young people aged 0-25. Sefton's Local Offer is available at the Sefton Directory and includes information about schools, services, and support available to families. It helps you understand what provision exists and how to access it.
The Local Authority has 6 weeks from receiving your request to decide whether to proceed with a full assessment. The complete assessment process typically takes around 20 weeks from start to finish. Your Local Authority will keep you updated throughout, and Sefton SENDIASS can support you during this time.

Navigating SEND in Sefton?

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