What is the SEND Local Offer?

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer is a term introduced by the Government. Every Local Authority (LA) must have a SEND Local Offer. 

The website is for anyone in the life of a child or young person who has SEND.  It covers education, health, and social care services that are available. 

It provides information and support services available to families in their local area.  

The website can help you:  

  • find information on support in education  
  • discover services that support children, young people, and their families with special needs
  • find a support network - parents, groups and organisations
  • get guidance and advice about how to help a young person plan their adult life

The SEND Local Offer must have information about:

Education and Training 

  • Special educational, health and social care provision for children and young people with SEND.
  • Other educational provision, for example, sports or arts provision.
  • Post-16 education, training, apprenticeships and supported internships.
  • Arrangements for travel to and from schools, post-16 institutions and early years providers.
  • Institutions approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
  • Support to help children and young people move between phases of education. For example, from early years to primary school.
  • Young people in higher education can receive support, for example the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). They can apply for DSA and get help with the process and timescales.   

Education, Health and Care Plans 

  • Details of how parents and young people can request an Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
  • Arrangements for identifying and assessing children and young people’s SEND. This should include arrangements for EHC needs assessments.   

Other Information and Support 

  • How to access your local SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS) Service.
  • Sources of information, advice and support in the Cumberland area relating to SEND.
  • Information about preparing children and young people for adulthood.
  • Childcare, including suitable provision for children with SEND.
  • Hobbies/Leisure activities.   

Complaints and Appeals 

  • Arrangements for resolving disagreements and for mediation. Details on how to make a complaint.
  • Parents and young people have the right to appeal a decision made by the Council. They can take their case to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) about SEND and provision.
  • The LA's accessibility strategy. See paragraph 1 Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010). 

 

The SEND Local Offer should cover:

  • Universal Support available to all children and young people with SEND. Such as schools and GPs.
  • Children and young people with SEND who need extra short-term support can get targeted support. This support goes beyond universal services.
  • Specialist services for children and young people with SEND who need longer-term support.  

You can find more details about the SEND Local Offer in chapter 4 of the SEND Code of Practice (2015) 

Our neighbouring SEND Local Offers are: