Introduction
Somerset Council is intending to increase the number of Special Educational Needs (SEN) Units on mainstream school sites. It has an ambition to create more than 250 new school places in SEN units over the next three years.
SEN units offer children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans dedicated classrooms to learn individually or in small groups with specialist teachers and teaching assistants.
Each unit caters for a specific SEN type:
- Moderate or Severe Learning Difficulties
- Social Communication and Emotional Regulation
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs
- Speech and Language Disorder
Sensory corner at Northgate Primary’s SEN Unit
How to access a SEN Unit
Children must have an Education, Health and Care plan to be considered for a SEN unit place. Placement decisions are made in consultation with schools and parents as part of the Education, Health and Care Plan and Annual Review process.
Schools with SEN Units
The schools with SEN Units in Somerset currently are:
New SEN Units coming
We anticipate a further six or seven SEN Units will open in the 2026/2027 academic year. Details will be provided here as soon as they have been confirmed.
If you are a school in Somerset with spare space on site and an interest in running or hosting a future SEN unit, please contact Lewis Andrews, SEND Sufficiency Manager, on (01823) 356924 who will arrange an initial visit to talk through the options
How SEN Units are funded
Somerset Council is able to fund the capital costs to create SEN units from its High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA).
How SEN Units are designed
SEN units are designed with a set of eight design principles in mind that have been recommended by the Autism Education Trust, the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and the NHS. They include good proxemics, acoustics, low-arousal colours and subtle lighting in order to create inclusive learning environments.
The Den at Knights Templar Community Church School
Training and support for schools
We provide a package of training and support as part of the induction programme including materials and resources.
In addition to induction days, all settings have a menu of training options to access and can select training that is bespoke to their own needs.
The impact of SEN Units
In September 2025, six brand new SEN units opened across Somerset for the first time. After the first term, feedback from children, parents and staff shows that the units are already making a positive difference.
Children in the SEN units are making strong progress:
- 70% are doing better than expected
- 30% are meeting expectations
Parent feedback
Parents noted excellent progress of children across learning, development, communication and time in school.
Been able to make friends, able to speak more and join that with her Makaton signs. She is currently trying to count which is amazing. Her ability to stay with an adult led task has improved. She is thriving.
As a whole it’s amazing that he was given this opportunity. He can access school full time and be accepted for who he is. I can’t thank everyone enough it’s been awesome.
ACE space in Hatch Beauchamp