All Local Authorities

SEND Services in South Gloucestershire

South WestUnitary Authority
Council website

South Gloucestershire, a unitary authority blending suburban communities with rural areas around Bristol, offers dedicated SEND support tailored to its diverse family needs, including efforts to identify needs earlier and reduce exclusions that affect pupils higher than national averages. While academic outcomes for pupils at SEN Support remain below South West and national levels, there are positive trends in performance for those with EHCPs, and the area identifies fewer pupils at this stage compared to England overall. Parents can turn to SEND and You, the local SENDIASS, for impartial guidance through the system, helping ease the journey with reassuring expertise close to home.

Whether you're navigating earlier identification of needs or preparing for an EHCP review, JakTrack helps you build a clear picture of your child's day-to-day patterns without the stress of endless note-taking. By capturing small moments as they happen - how your child slept, what they ate, how they managed transitions - you'll have 90 days of organised evidence ready when you need it, whether that's for a benefits check, a school meeting, or working through the EHCP process with SEND and You. Starting early means you're not scrambling to remember details months later; instead, you're building a genuine, detailed record that helps professionals understand your child's real needs and what actually works for your family. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

120

Schools

9

Specialist

14

SEN Units & Resource Bases

42,024

Total Pupils

13.4%receive SEN Support

5,652 pupils

5.6%have an EHCP

2,354 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 South Gloucestershire's Local Offer

IASS

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

SEND and You

Parent Carer Forum

South Glos Parent Carers

Local parent carer forum representing and supporting parent carers in South Gloucestershire

Facebook page

EHCP

Median assessment: 20 weeks (legal limit: 20)

SEND Team

South Gloucestershire SEND Services

Short Breaks

Short breaks information

South Gloucestershire Council

Portage

Portage Service

Home-visiting educational support for pre-school children available

Educational Psychology

Occupational Therapy

Children's Occupational Therapy

Provided through Community Children's Health Partnership (CCHP)

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

Early Years Telephone Advice Line: 0300 125 5139 (Wednesdays 9.30am-12noon). School Age Service: 0300 125 5140 (Wednesdays 9am-12noon)

Social Care

The 0-25 Social care service

Other Services

Sensory Support Service

BASS Autism Services for Adults

Children's Continuing Care Team

Children's Occupational Therapy

Children's Physiotherapy

Community Paediatrics

Designated Medical Officer

Travel Training

Elective Home Education

Community Learning and Skills Service

Early Years Team

Early Help Support Team

Children's Disability Register

Mencap Employment Support

Mothers for Mothers

National Autistic Society

National Autistic Society Bristol Branch

National Autistic Society Avon Branch

NHS Community Dental Service

NHS Patient Transport Service

Off The Record Bristol & South Gloucestershire

PANS/PANDAS UK Charity

Preparing for Adulthood Team

Spinal Injuries Association

Guide Dogs

The Care Forum Spot Purchase Advocacy

University of the West of England Disability Service

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Aurora Hedgeway School

Special
Ages 7-19Capacity: 63BS35 4JN
AutismModerate Learning

New Horizons Learning Centre

SpecialGood
Ages 5-16Capacity: 64BS15 4EA
Social & Emotional

New Siblands School

SpecialOutstanding
Ages 2-19Capacity: 125BS35 2JU
Severe Learning

SGS Pegasus School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 4-18Capacity: 110BS32 4AJ
Autism

Two Bridges Academy

Special
Ages 2-19Capacity: 112BS35 3JT
Speech & LanguageAutismPhysicalSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Warmley Park School

Special
Ages 2-19BS30 8XL
Severe LearningProfound & Multiple

Castlefell School

Special
Ages 8-16Capacity: 50BS35 3NS

Culverhill School

SpecialOutstanding
Ages 7-16BS37 8SZ

Neptune School

Special
Ages 8-16Capacity: 25BS30 5JU

Chipping Sodbury School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1120BS37 6EW
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Hanham Woods Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 900BS15 3LA
Autism
Resource base: 25 places

Lyde Green Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 432BS16 7LH
AutismSevere Learning
SEN unit: 12 places

Abbeywood Community School

SecondaryNot judged
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1250BS34 8SF
Speech & LanguageAutism
Resource base: 24 places

Blackhorse Primary School

Primary
Ages 4-11Capacity: 420BS16 6TR
Autism
Resource base: 22 places

Brimsham Green School

Secondary
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1235BS37 7LB
Physical
Resource base: 14 places

Charborough Road Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 271BS34 7RA
Speech & Language
Resource base: 18 places

Emersons Green Primary School

Primary
Ages 4-11Capacity: 210BS16 7GA
VisualPhysical
Resource base: 10 places

Woodlands Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 420BS37 4HB
Hearing
Resource base: 5 places

Yate Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 900BS37 4DX
Hearing
Resource base: 6 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 South Gloucestershire.

To request a statutory EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) assessment in South Gloucestershire, complete the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment request form with up-to-date evidence and submit it to the local authority. The council must decide within 6 weeks whether to proceed, considering evidence of your child's needs despite school support. Contact your EHCP Coordinator for guidance, and find forms on the South Gloucestershire Local Offer website.
SEND and You is South Gloucestershire's free SENDIASS (Information, Advice and Support Service) for children, young people, and families. It provides impartial information, advice, and support on SEND matters, including the EHCP process. Call 0117 989 7725 or email [email protected] for help.
South Gloucestershire has 9 specialist schools, 6 schools with SEN units, and 8 schools with resource bases for children with special educational needs. These provisions support the 2,354 pupils (5.6% of total) who have an EHCP out of 42,024 pupils across 120 schools. More details are available on the Local Offer.
The Local Offer lists all services and support available for children and young people with SEND in South Gloucestershire, including education, health, and care options. It helps families understand what help is out there and how to access it. Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/care-and-support-children-families/local-offer/ or the main council site at www.southglos.gov.uk.
The EHCP assessment process in South Gloucestershire takes 20 weeks from request to final plan, unless exceptions apply. This includes a decision within 6 weeks, assessment, drafting, and consultation with your preferred school. Check life.southglos.gov.uk for the latest on timelines and exceptions.

Navigating SEND in South Gloucestershire?

JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.

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