our send services
At Koala North West, we understand that raising a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our SEND Support service is here to offer practical help, emotional support, and guidance for families.
Early Years SEND Support - Wirral
We support nurseries, childminders and preschools across Wirral to create welcoming, inclusive environments for all young children.
Our service helps by:
- Spotting early signs that a child may need extra support with additional needs or disabilities (SEND)
- Sharing simple, practical ideas that help children learn, play and thrive
- Building confidence in inclusive, responsive early years practice.
How to get support
Speak to your child’s nursery, childminder or preschool as referrals are made through the Early Years SEND team at Wirral Council.
How to get support
If you live in North Birkenhead and would like to find out more, please contact us here to discuss support.
Cradle to Career - North Birkenhead
Cradle to Career supports families who have a child with SEND, and you don’t need a diagnosis to access help.
Support can include:
- Friendly support for families in their own home
- Coffee mornings and informal drop-in sessions
- Stay-and-play groups for children and families
- Workshops and sessions for parent carers
- Opportunities to meet and connect with other families in similar situations
Neurodivergent Sleep Service
NHS commissioned service (Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Wirral)
This specialist service supports families where a child has a diagnosis of autism or ADHD, or is currently being assessed.
We offer:
- One-to-one virtual support around sleep routines and difficulties
- Group sleep workshops delivered each school term
- Easy-to-access support provided online, so families can join from home
This service is available across Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Chester and Wirral.
How to get support
Families can refer themselves, or a professional can make a referral with the family’s consent.
If you are a professional and would like to refer a family, click here.
If your child is not yet on a diagnostic pathway, you can still access our sleep support for neurotypical children. Click here to find out more.
SEND Family Support - Ellesmere Port and Wirral
This service provides targeted support for children and young people with SEND up to the age of 19 through our Thriving Families service.
We offer:
- Support for families in their own home
- Short, focused help for families with younger children
- Practical advice and guidance tailored to each family’s needs and circumstances
How to get support
If you live in Ellesmere Port or Wirral and would like to find out more, please contact us here to discuss support.
Who This Support Is For
- Children and young people experiencing emotional barriers to school attendance
- Families who feel stuck, overwhelmed or unsure what will help
- Schools seeking practical, trauma informed approaches to attendance and emotional wellbeing
A diagnosis is not required.
Emotional Barriers to School Attendance (EBNA) Support - Chester and Ellesmere Port
Launching September 2026
What the EBNA Service Offers
- One-to-one mentoring and emotional support
- Guidance for parents, with practical strategies to use at home
- Support in both home and school settings, including help with routines, emotional regulation and sleep where needed
- Training and advice for schools to help develop inclusive practice
- Peer support for parents to reduce isolation and help families connect with others
How to get support
Referrals are made via our partner schools only.
Training and Support for Professionals
Professional Training Offer
Available across the North West
We provide high quality training for professionals working with children and young people with SEND, including sleep education and SEND practice.
Training includes:
- Sleep Practitioner Accredited Training
- SEND and sleep training for staff teams
- Parent workshops commissioned by schools and organisations
How to access our training offer
Training is commissioned directly by organisations, for more information on the training available, click here.
