Sefton Council has confirmed plans to expand its provision for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, in response to a growing demand for specialist education support across the borough.

Increased Capacity

At its Cabinet meeting yesterday, members approved a proposal to expand the current SEMH special school from 128 to 178 places, with the increased capacity set to be in place from January 2026. This represents a significant step in the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving local services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Supporting Transition

The expanded provision will primarily support primary-aged pupils, with an additional option for year 7 students who may not yet be ready to transition to the secondary phase of their education.

To accommodate the increased number of pupils, Cabinet also approved plans to utilise the former infant school site at Hatton Hill School in Litherland. The site, which is currently vacant, has been identified as well-suited for SEMH provision and will undergo appropriate adaptations.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“There has been a sustained and significant rise in the number of children needing SEMH support. We are pleased to be expanding this highly regarded provision so that more children can get the support they need closer to home.

“This decision reflects our long-term commitment to inclusive education and making the best use of local resources.”

Crucial Expansion

The decision to expand comes amid increasing pressure on specialist places across the borough. Without additional local provision, many children face being placed in out-of-borough settings — arrangements which can mean long journeys to school to find suitable provision to meet children’s needs.

This expansion aligns with Sefton’s wider SEND Strategy, which prioritises developing local, specialist provision so that children can stay in their communities, maintain friendships, and access consistent support.