SEND and Inclusion

Section 23 Notification

What is a Section 23 Notification?

A Section 23 Notification is a legal requirement for all health professionals to inform local authorities about children under school age who have, or are likely to have, special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). This could include; a learning delay, communication difficulties and physical difficulties. 

Purpose of a Section 23 Notification

Section 23 notifications are mandated under Section 23 of the Children and Families Act 2014. Health professionals, such as Public Health Nurses, Doctors, and Public Health Assistants must notify the local authority if they identify a child or children aged under five who may need additional support within their educational setting due to SEND needs. This notification ensures that health services are timely coordinated to provide the necessary support for the child. 

How the Section 23 Notification is used

Once a Section 23 Notification is submitted to the local authority, it is entered into a secure database by the Start Well SEND Team. Depending on the information and needs of the child, the team may contact the child’s family or carers, their educational setting, or both to establish if targeted support is required.

This may involve:

  • A member of the team meeting the child
  • A referral to another specialist team
  • Advice on local support services  

Section 23 Notification: Working together to support families in Bolton

Start Well SEND team are committed to improve life chances by working with children in the early years and their families to provide the ‘Best Start in Life’ and to reduce the developmental gap between the most vulnerable children and others, through early intervention and support. 
Bolton Council, NHS Bolton, and our education settings work closely together to ensure we give our youngest children the Best Start in Life.

Completing a Section 23 Notification form

Please find the link to our Section 23 Notification form.

Completed forms should be returned to StartWellSEND@bolton.gov.uk where a member of our team will process your request. 

Contact us 

Bolton Start Well SEND Service
Telephone: 01204 338149
Email: StartWellSEND@bolton.gov.uk

Additional resources 

Information for parents and carers

Bolton Local Authority and Bolton NHS are working closely together to provide your child or children with the ‘Best Start in Life.’ As your child grows, you may meet with a number of health professionals including your General Practitioner (GP), Public Health Nurse, and Paediatricians. If these professionals believe your child may have or is likely to have Special Educational Needs, they will ask you for your permission to contact us. They may advise you that your child may benefit from some additional support to help their development. This is the Section 23 Notification. Following on from this a member of our team may contact you or your child’s educational setting for additional information to determine whether further support is needed. 

Should you wish to contact the team directly, please find our contact details below.

Bolton Start Well SEND Service
Telephone: 01204 338149
Email: StartWellSEND@bolton.gov.uk 

Additional resources