For children, Milton Keynes Council have processes in place to provide support for pupils with complex needs, which are detailed in the Children’s section. For adults, there is a wealth of further educational opportunities, as detailed in the Adult Education section.
In Milton Keynes the Education, Health and Care Plans will provide the same statutory protection as Statements of Special Educational Needs and covers children and young people from 0 – 25. This is holistic and centred on needs.
The guidelines reflect four main areas:
- Cognition and learning
- Communication and interaction
- Social, Emotional and Mental health
- Sensory and/or physical needs
The full guidelines can be found at: https://www.mksendlocaloffer.co.uk/
An assessment can be requested by:
- Parent or Carer
- Young person over the age of 16 and under 25
- Person acting on behalf of a school or post 16 institution
- Anyone can bring a child or young person to the Council’s attention
MK SENDIAS also offer (https://www.mksendlocaloffer.co.uk/ 01908 254518) offer independent information, advice, and support to parents.
As a general rule, for children who are younger than pre-school age, the starting point would be to raise your concerns with your GP or health visitor, who will be able to make the necessary referrals for assessment.
For the pre-school and nursery age children, a good place to start is to raise your concerns with the pre-school or nursery that your child is currently attending.
For school-age children, the best place to start is by raising your concerns with the school your child is currently attending, but you can also contact the Special Educational Needs and Disability Team at Milton Keynes Council.
Special Education Needs and Disabilities Services
Milton Keynes Council (SEND),
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ
Tel: 01908 252222 (Send Team Support Line)
Tel: 01908 254518 (Advice Line)
Email: SENDSupport@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Web: https://www.mksendlocaloffer.co.uk/education-and-send/what-send-team-does/what-send
The Special Education Needs and Disability Team can provide general information and advice on all aspects of additional and special educational needs. The service can help with identification, assessment, and provision for children and young people with additional needs, and places in mainstream and special schools.
Times: 9.30am-3.30pm Monday-Friday
Milton Keynes Info, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS)
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ
Tel: 01908 254518
Email: contact@mksendias.org.uk
Web: https://mksendias.org.uk/about-us
MK Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (SENDIAS) is a statutory service offering confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with additional needs and their parents/carers.
Support is available to families living in Milton Keynes but the child or young person may be attending an education setting outside the borough.
Referral eligibility is broad, from a concern about a child or young person with a potential additional need, to supporting more complex needs. Self-referrals are preferred but 3rd party referrals will be considered – there is an on-line referral form.
Regular events such as workshops, annual information day and outreach activities take place – see website for details (https://mksendias.org.uk/events).
See their website for more detailed information on how they can help
Buckinghamshire Portage Service
Walton Street Offices, Walton Street
Aylesbury, HP20 1UA
Tel: 01494 475579 (Administrator)
Email: portage@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
A child between 0-3 who is significantly delayed in at last two areas of their development can apply through their parents or professionals for portage.
Portage provides ongoing assessments and is a bespoke intervention programme. Play activities are offered to support learning and development goals with parents empowered to engage fully in their child’s learning and support their development.
Milton Keynes Christian Foundation,
Foundation House,
Aylesbury Street, Wolverton,
Milton Keynes, MK12 5HX
Tel: 01908 311112
Email: admin@mkchristianfoundation.co.uk
Web: https://mkchristianfoundation.co.uk/
The Milton Keynes Christian Foundation has social enterprises working to ‘co-produce’ solutions to locally identified issues with:
- Childcare pathways – social enterprise nursery in Wolverton. Care from 3 months to 5 years
- Cycle Saviours – cycle refurbishment
- Growing People – horticultural social enterprise in Wolverton
- Learning Tree – forest school social enterprise that supports children, young people and adults to grow outdoors in their own woodlands using holistic and therapeutic learning activities. There are sessions for pre-schoolers with parents and carers, home educated families, special needs groups, charities, schools and corporate team building.
- Sew & Grow – social enterprise to develop textile products
- Think Food – Café and food shop, Foundation House, Wolverton
- Urban believers – looking after honey bees
- Foundation Learning – educational alternative to school or college
- Learning in a real work environment for 15-19 years with access to 16-19 Tuition Fund (help for those who have got behind)
Access: Wheelchair access and disabled toilet.
Early Years Alliance
Rm 2, Voluntary Offices
11 Winchester Circle, Milton Keynes, MK10 0BA
Tel: 01908 015939 (office) Mobile: 07918 055740
Web: https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/
Email: helen.middleton@eyalliance.org.uk
The Early Years Alliance offers a range of services to support the Early Years in Milton Keynes. As well as online business and practice support, all baby and toddler groups are supported by a Development Worker who advises and supports volunteers delivering a service within the community.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools in Milton Keynes
The Woodlands School
Admiral Drive, Hazeley, Milton Keynes, MK8 0PU
Tel: 01908 563885
Web: https://www.twsmk.co.uk/home
Email: admin@twsmk.co.uk
School for children and young people aged between 4 and 19 years who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a Social Communication difficulty. There are 2 sites with the Primary Department at Hertford Place Campus Bletchley and Middle and Upper Departments at Hazeley Campus.
White Spire School
Rickley Lane, Bletchley,
Milton Keynes, MK3 6EW
Tel: 01908 373266
Web: https://www.whitespireschool.org.uk/home
Email: admin@whitespire.milton-keynes.sch.uk
All children at the School have an Education, Health and Care Plan. White Spire School caters for children and young people aged between 4 and 19 years. It is a mixed special school for children with learning disabilities.
Slated Row School
Old Wolverton Road, Wolverton,
Milton Keynes, MK12 5NJ
Tel: 01908 316017
Web: https://www.slatedrow.com/
Email: administration@slatedrow.com
Slated Row School is a special school which caters for children aged 4 to 19 with moderate and complex learning disabilities. Operates out of 2 sites – Old Wolverton Campus and Kents Hill Campus.
Stephenson Academy
Crosslands, Stantonbury,
Milton Keynes, MK14 6AX
Tel: 01908 889400
Web: https://www.stephensonacademy.org.uk/
Email: reception@stephensonacademy.org.uk
The Stephenson Academy is for children of secondary age. They cater for children with Education and Health Care Plans with an identified primary need of Social Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH). Many students have additional needs such as speech, language and communication difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mental health difficulties. The main site caters for 9-16 year olds. There is an associated independent sixth form for 16-19 year olds.
Romans Field
Shenley Road, Bletchley,
Milton Keynes, MK3 7AW
Tel: 01908 376011
Email: info@rfs.ilf.education
Web: www.romansfieldschool.org
Romans Field is a special school for children aged 7 to 11 with a range of needs including autistic spectrum disorder, communication and interaction, behavioural, mental, emotional, social and complex needs. Is also part of Inclusive Learning Federation with two mainstream primaries – Priory Common and Bradwell Village School.
Redway School
Farmborough, Netherfield, Milton Keynes, MK6 4HG
Tel: 01908 206400
Email: info@theredway.net
Web: www.theredway.net
The Redway School is a special school for children with profound and complex needs, including severe learning difficulties and autism. The school caters for children and young people aged from 2 to 19.
Special Provision in Schools
The schools listed below are those where specialist resources have been set up to support pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs.
Chestnuts Primary School – 01908 373748
Can provide support for hearing impaired pupils.
New Bradwell School – 01908 312244
Support for pupils with social communication needs.
Orchard Academy – 01908 735882
Support for pupils with social communication needs.
Radcliffe School – 01908 682222
Support for pupils with social communication needs.
Shepherdswell Academy – 01908 735865
Support for pupils with social communication needs.
Charles Warren Academy – 01908 670074
Support for pupils with speech, language and communication needs.
St Paul’s Catholic School – 01908 669735
Support for social communication needs, hearing impaired, visually impaired