Help with special educational needs

Some children have special educational needs (SEN). This means that they need extra help and support to learn. SEN can affect many areas of a child's development, including:

• Their behaviour and social skills
• Their reading and writing skills
• Their understanding
• Their concentration
• Their physical needs

Knowsley Council is committed to supporting all children and young people with SEN to reach their full potential. We offer a variety of services and support to help children with SEN succeed in school and in life.

Most children's SEN can be met through their school. Schools will work with you and your child to assess their needs and develop a plan to support them. This may include using different teaching methods, providing extra help in certain areas, or making changes to the classroom environment.

Support for parents of children with special educational needs

Liverpool & Knowsley SENDIASS is a free and confidential service that provides information and support to parents and carers of children with SEN. They can help you with a range of things, including:

• Understanding your child's needs
• Getting a diagnosis
• Accessing support services
• Filling out forms and paperwork
• Attending meetings and assessments

Liverpool & Knowsley SENDIASS also has links with parent groups and voluntary organisations that can provide further support.

To contact Liverpool & Knowsley SENDIASS, please call 0333 323 7768 or email liverpoolknowsleysendiass@barnardos.org.uk. For more information, visit their website.

Transport Statement for Post-16 Learners in Education or Training

Academic Year 2020/21

All councils have a duty under Section 509AA (7) of the Education Act 1996 to publish annually a Transport Statement for students and learners aged 16 to 18 and 19 to 25 if they have Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities. Knowsley publishes one statement which covers all cohorts to whom the duty applies.

Knowsley Council is committed to supporting all post-16 learners in education or training, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). We offer a range of transport support options to help learners get to and from their place of study.

This statement sets out the transport arrangements that are in place for post-16 learners with SEND who live in Knowsley and who are studying or training at

• Schools
• Further education colleges
• Establishments funded directly by the Education Funding Agency or Skills Funding Agency, including independent specialist providers for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
• Learning providers that are funded by the local authority to deliver accredited programmes of learning which lead to a positive outcome (this could include colleges, charities and private learning providers)

To be eligible for transport support, learners must have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan (EHC plan) that identifies their transport needs.

Knowsley Council offers a variety of transport support options, including

• Dedicated school buses
• Taxis
• Minibuses
• Public transport reimbursement

The type of transport support that is available will depend on the individual learner's needs and the distance they travel to and from their place of study.

If you are a parent or carer of a post-16 learner with SEND, please contact Knowsley Council's SEND transport team on 0151 443 2440 to discuss your child's transport needs. They can help you to assess your child's eligibility for transport support and apply for the appropriate funding.

Support for parents of children with special educational needs (SEND)

If your child, aged from birth to 25 years old, needs extra help to learn, Liverpool & Knowsley SENDIASS can help. Liverpool & Knowsley SENDIASS is a free and confidential service that provides information and support to parents and carers of children with SEND.

We can help you with a range of things, including:

• Understanding your child's needs
• Getting a diagnosis
• Accessing support services
• Filling out forms and paperwork
• Attending meetings and assessments

We also have links with parents groups and voluntary organisations that can provide further support.

Request an assessment for your child

You can either:

• Contact your child’s school to request an assessment of your child’s needs.
• Make a parental request for an assessment using the documents below. 

You can get advice and guidance from Knowsley’s SEND team by calling 0151 443 5145 or emailing us at SENDadmin@knowsley.gov.uk 

More information