St Paul's has a thriving and successful Learning Support Department, Emmaus Student Support, which supports a range of difficulties from specific learning difficulties to moderate learning difficulties, physical difficulties and behaviour. There are also three specialist provisions, delivered in partnership with the local authority, within the Emmaus Student Support Department and mainstream setting. If you'd like to see who works in Emmaus and have a look at our facilities please take a look at our photo booklet here. All requests for admissions for children with an EHCP should come from the Local Authority. Local Authority requests should be sent to EHCPAdmissions@st-pauls.org.uk.
The school is aware that some parents whose children have EHCP plans have received their secondary school allocation and St. Paul’s has not been named. All places have been allocated by the Local Authority. If you are not happy with your allocation, we would advise that you are in touch with SENDIAS 01908 254518. They are an independent advice and support service. The school has no power to admit children outside of the agreed Local Authority processes and parents should pursue any queries with them with the support of SENDIAS.
New referral route for children and young people’s neurodevelopmental (ND) assessments – ADHD and ASD
From 3 August 2026, Central and North West London NHS’ (CNWL) autism and ADHD diagnostic assessments for children and young people moved to a single integrated service: SHINE (Specialist Hub for Integrated Neurodevelopmental Evaluation).
SHINE brings together Community Paediatrics and CAMHS diagnostic assessment services, supported by a new Single Point of Access (SPA) and digital referral processes.
Who can refer?
GPs, health professionals (including health visitors, speech and language therapists), community and hospital paediatricians, CAMHS clinicians, nursery/school SENCos and social workers. Parental consent is required.
This change will affect all schools in Milton Keynes. Only SENCos can make referrals, but teachers may be asked to answer questionnaires as part of Stage 2 of the referral process.
Age eligibility remains unchanged: 2-17+
The New referral process:
Part 1: Referrers submit an online referral request via the SHINE professionals webpage [https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/shine/professional-certification], including the child’s details, reason for referral, parent/carer contact information, nursery/school and GP details, and any interpreter requirements.
Part 2: The SPA Hub sends digital referral packs to GPs, parents/carers, young people aged 12+ (where appropriate), and education settings to gather information. All packs must be returned within two weeks. Once received, clinicians will triage the referral and confirm the outcome with the family and GP.
As school will not receive any outcomes – please inform the school and share any recommendations.
Local SEND Offer
To see St Paul's Local SEND Information Report please click here. For information about Milton Keynes Council's Local SEND offer please click here.
SEND is on Facebook - you can find them here http://www.facebook.com/mksend
SEND Policy
To see our special educational needs policy please click here.
SEN Tours
Our next Emmaus Student Support SEN tours are taking place on:
- Thursday 22nd October at 9.30am
- Wednesday 11th November at 9.30am
- Friday 11th December at 9.30am
To book your place on the tours please fill out the form here.
