Plans submitted for a new post-16 SEND hub

Wokingham Borough Council has submitted plans for a new post-16 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) hub at the former Wokingham Library on Denmark Street. 

The hub will support up to 40 young people aged 16 to 25 years old who:

• have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• are moving into Year 12 and may have faced additional barriers to education (e.g. difficult life experiences, learning needs or mental health challenges) 
• need extra support to build their skills and reach their potential and to prepare for adulthood

The hub plans to offer two routes for young people who have SEND. 

The employability route can help young people get ready for work with things like writing a CV, preparing for interviews, working as a team and completing tasks. This will help them build confidence with communication and learning from feedback, as well as skills for daily life like managing money, time and transport. 

The vocational route will offer young people valuable, hands-on experience in different careers. For example, in the catering and hospitality sector, young people could learn how to prepare food safely, or in the trade industry, learning how to use tools safely alongside basic skills. 

Pastoral support is also available. Young people can get support with their emotional wellbeing and mental health, developing their social skills, staying engaged with learning and personal safety and resilience. 

Executive member for children’s services Cllr Prue Bray said: “The new SEND hub will be the first of its kind within Wokingham Borough, supporting young people with autism, learning difficulties and mental health needs. It would also provide young people valuable experiences and support to climb their career ladder. 

“The hub will offer core subjects, vocational training and independent living skills, helping to enrich the lives of young people who need specialist support. It would provide vital, local provision and save council funds by reducing out-of-borough placements.”

A planning application has been submitted to change the building’s windows and internal configuration. 

Improvements will be made to the building to make it more energy efficient and the interior will be redesigned to house the new post-16 SEND hub which will include a teaching and office space, a small gym, an independent working area, a catering area and vocational subject classrooms. 

The council launched a SEND Sufficiency Strategy and a programme of projects to develop and roll out SEND and resource units throughout Wokingham Borough due to growing demand. If planning is approved, the new hub is expected to open in September 2026. 

Site history 

The building on Denmark Street was constructed in the mid-1990s and operated as the former Wokingham Library, prior to the relocation at Carnival Hub in September 2022. 

In December 2022, the council secured planning permission to temporarily change the use of the building from a library to storage and distribution to support the council’s cost of living response. 

The building was let out to the Hardship Alliance and local charities to store materials they were collecting and giving out in care packages to local people in need. 

Next steps

A decision on planning will come later this year, with initial works on site, which are not subject to planning permission, due to start in February. 

To view planning documents, visit the council’s website, searching planning application number ‘252868’.