This presentation looks at the SEN local offer described in the Children and Families Bill. I use it in partnership with some slides in the schools project presentation that also discusses the local offer.

1. The Local Offer
“A tool to enable families
to navigate their access to
an ordinary life.”

2. “Wherever possible,
children, young people
and their families are
able to live ‘ordinary
lives’”
The Early Support Principles

3. The Local Offer
A local authority must publish information about:
a) The provision it expects to be available in its area at
the time of publication for children and young people
who have special educational needs, and

4. The Local Offer
A local authority must publish information about:
a) The provision it expects to be available outside its
area at that time for children and young people for
whom it is 25 responsible.

5. The Local Offer
The provision referred to is:
a) education, health and care provision;
b) other educational provision;
c) training provision;
d) arrangements for travel to and from schools and
post-16 institutions and places at which relevant
early years education is provided;
e) provision to assist in preparing children and young
people for adulthood and independent living.

6. The Local Offer
The provision referred to is:
a) education, health and care provision;
b) other educational provision;
c) training provision;
d) arrangements for travel to and from schools and
post-16 institutions and places at which relevant
early years education is provided;
e) provision to assist in preparing children and young
people for adulthood and independent living.
a) finding employment;
b) obtaining accommodation;
c) participation in society.

7. The Local Offer
Information required to be published by an authority
under this section is to be known as its “local offer”

8. The Local Offer
A local authority must keep its local offer under review
and may from time to time revise it.

9. The Local Offer
A local authority must from time to time publish:
a) comments about its local offer it has received from or
on behalf of children and young people with special
educational needs, and the parents of children with
special educational needs, and
b) the authority’s response to those comments.
These comments published must be published in a form
that does not enable the person making them to be
identified.

10. The Local Offer
A local authority must from time to time publish:
a) comments about its local offer it has received from or
on behalf of children and young people with special
educational needs, and the parents of children with
special educational needs, and
b) the authority’s response to those comments.
These comments published must be published in a form
that does not enable the person making them to be
identified.

11. The Local Offer
Regulations may make provision about:
a) the information to be included in an authority’s local
offer;
b) how an authority’s local offer is to be published;
c) who is to be consulted by an authority in preparing
and reviewing its local offer;

12. The Local Offer
Regulations may make provision about:
d) how an authority is to involve children and young
people with special educational needs, and the
parents of children with special educational needs, in
the preparation and review of its local offer;
e) the publication of comments on the local offer, and
the local authority’s response, under subsection
(including circumstances in which comments are not
required to be published).

13. The Local Offer
The regulations may in particular require an
authority’s local offer to include
a) information about how to obtain an EHC needs
assessment;
b) information about other sources of information,
advice and support for children and young people
with special educational needs and those who care
for them;

14. The Local Offer
The regulations may in particular require an
authority’s local offer to include
c) information about gaining access to provision
additional to, or different from, the provision
mentioned above.
d) information about how to make a complaint about
provision mentioned above.

15. The Local Offer
The draft SEN code of practice states:
The governing bodies of maintained schools and
maintained nursery schools and the proprietors of
academy schools have a legal duty to publish information
on their websites about the implementation of the
governing body’s or the proprietor’s policy for pupils
with SEN. The information published must be updated
annually and any changes to the information occurring
during the year must be updated as soon as possible.
The information required is set out in the draft Special
Educational Needs (Information) Regulations and
reflects the information required for the local offer.

16. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network

17. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
When talking about
trying to find
information parents
often report a range
of negative emotions
which add to their
already stressful lives

18. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
They feel
overwhelmed by the
sheer volume of
information and do
not know where to
start

19. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
They often receive
conflicting advice and
simply do not know
who to trust to give
them the information
that will help them,
especially when it is
professionals giving
conflicting advice.
Parents report that
they tend to only trust
other parents’ advice
who have already
been through the
system and
understand which
direction to go in.

20. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
They report feeling
‘lost in a maze’ or feel
as though they are
constantly ‘going
round and round in
circles’

21. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
And finally when they
find what they are
looking for then far
too frequently they
find that either the
information is out of
date and the service is
no longer available, or
the contact
information is
incorrect, or that they
are not eligible and
the service is closed
to them. When this
happens they are back
at the beginning and
do not know where to
turn.

22. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
A one-stop shop for parent carers to access all of the
information that they will need relating to their
child/young person – so that parents know exactly
where to go every time that they need help or
information.

23. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
A way for parent carers to be able to find the
information that they are seeking quickly and easily –
it needs to help parents sort through the vast array of
complex information from a wide range of sources and
then provide only the information that will be relevant
and useful. This will ensure that parents are no longer
overwhelmed with the sheer volume of information
available.

24. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer therefore needs to help users quickly
and easily find what they need:
• By linking information
• By filtering out information that is not relevant

25. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
Support for parents who do not know what they are
looking for but know that they need help.

26. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
Effective signposting to support and services – to the
right place first time! This is especially important
when services are not suitable for a particular
child/young person - other solutions need to be
suggested to stop parents feeling as though they have
reached a dead end.

27. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
Clear, comprehensive, relevant, transparent and
current information in a way that can be understood,
accessed by all and most importantly that it can be
trusted.

28. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer has to deliver:
A source of information for professionals to refer to, in
order to give current and correct advice – to reduce
the conflicting information given, and to ensure parent
carers are no longer pushed from pillar to post and
back again. Professionals, like parents, are short of
time so it needs to be quick and easy for them to use
also.

29. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
The Local Offer:
Needs to meet a range of needs – from parents who
have no knowledge at all to the most informed
parents who know exactly what they are looking for,
as well as young people and professionals.

30. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Even the most comprehensive directory
cannot deliver this,

31. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Even the most comprehensive directory
cannot deliver this….
….which is why it is important that the
Local Offer is not a directory.

32. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for
Bow

33. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for
Bow

34. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for.
A directory can require previous
knowledge or certain level of
understanding.

35. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for.
A directory can require previous
knowledge or certain level of
understanding.
A directory is service led not
family/user led.

36. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for.
A directory can require previous
knowledge or certain level of
understanding.
A directory is service led not
family/user led.
A directory only gives the information
you ask for, not necessarily the
information you need.

37. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
A directory expects the user to know
what they are looking for.
A directory can require previous
knowledge or certain level of
understanding.
A directory is service led not
family/user led.
A directory only gives the information
you ask for, not necessarily the
information you need.
A directory can lack richness of
information.

38. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
What works well?
• Having a single point of contact or someone to talk things
through with
• Having information prior to appointments knowing who’s
who, what they do and what they can expect.
• Effective signposting – particularly when not eligible for a
service.
• Having options and choices (shared decision making).
• Being listened to.
When things went well families felt involved, that they
matter, supported and kept in the loop.

39. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Some of the challenges:
• Clear message that parents feel that they are ‘left to their
own devices’ that professionals assume that they know
everything and therefore don’t signpost to other services
• Find a lot of information by accident and find a lot of
Information too late.
• Feel that some information is ‘hidden’ particularly around
statementing and social care assessments.
• Lack of clarity and responsibility for families living on the
authority borders.

40. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Some of the challenges
Families reported feeling:
Angry
Isolated
Farmed out
Let down
Inadequate
Isolated
Overwhelmed
Lost.
Many felt that conflict could be avoided if there was greater
transparency about how decisions are made and if sign posting
was more effective.

41. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Information Websites –
What parents like:
• Simplicity
• Quick & easy to find
• Up to date content
• Clean, bright and appealing design
• Ability to customise content
• Friendly/user friendly language (no jargon)
• Clear navigation
• Good search function
• Results filtered to specific need
• Accessible features
• Blogs
• Rich content e.g. videos/webcasts

42. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
Information Websites –
What parents didn’t like:
• Out of date content
• Corporate feel
• Directories/lists of information

43. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
In order to avoid being a directory
the Local Offer must:
• Link pieces of information – so that the user does not have
to have prior knowledge or know what they are looking for.
• Push content to the user – make suggestions based on what
other users have used or found useful, or suggestions based
on what parents say is important for parents to know at key
stages
• Allow the user to filter out information that is not relevant or
useful.
• Not have any dead ends – parents must never end up
anywhere on the site where they cannot go any further.
Other suggestions/signposting must always be available.

44. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
In order to avoid being a directory
the Local Offer must:
• Provide clear and unambiguous information about services
including information that is currently hard to find, such as
eligibility criteria, complaints procedures, and contact
information. This cannot be hidden within the depths of the
Local offer website.
• Follow a strategic review of the content of the Local Offer
with parents and young people – to ensure that they can
use their unique knowledge and experiences to input to
what content is included and how it is arranged/delivered on
the website.

45. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
In order to avoid being a directory
the Local Offer must:
• Be as a result of co-production with parents and young
people – in order to ensure that the content is written in a
way that other parents/young people can understand and
access and that all the information that is needed is
included.
• Demonstrate that the Local offer has been developed with
parents/young people and that it is responsive to their
feedback and input. This will also help other parents trust
the Local Offer – parents trust other parents more than
anyone else!
• It cannot just be a web based solution but must also offer
support for users to access the information in a way that
they can, whether this is telephone support, training
sessions or face-to-face support

46. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
• The Local Offer is more than just a website – it is a new way
of working and a new approach to delivering information.
• It is about being open and honest with parents, and working
with them to understand their needs, both for information
about services and about actual service delivery too.
• It can only be delivered by working in true partnership with
parents and young people, and with a shift in culture to one
of transparency, clarity of information and a willingness to
work in a different way.

47. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
• The Local Offer is more than just a website – it is a new way
of working and a new approach to delivering information.
• It is about being open and honest with parents, and working
with them to understand their needs, both for information
about services and about actual service delivery too.
• It can only be delivered by working in true partnership with
parents and young people, and with a shift in culture to one
of transparency, clarity of information and a willingness to
work in a different way.

48. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
Improved outcomes for children and young people –
more information easily available to help make better choices
plus information will be ‘pushed’ to parents/young people to
tell them about services/support they previously would never
have found out about

49. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
Parents and young people will feel informed and empowered
to make choices.

50. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
Expectations will be managed – people will be clearer about
what is available and why, and what alternatives are available

51. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
Expectations will be managed – people will be clearer about
what is available and why, and what alternatives are available

52. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
More effective signposting – less disappointment for
families who have been incorrectly referred to services in the
past

53. The Local Offer –
Not A Directory
Prepared for SE7
by Sharon Smith
Hampshire
Parent/Carer
Network
If a Local Offer can be developed
that meets the criteria listed
above then there are a lot of
benefits for families:
The relationship will change between parents/young people
and professionals as there will be more honesty, better
accuracy of advice given, less time wasting and hopefully more
trust too

54. The Local Offer
What are the elements of a Bronze, Silver and Gold Local
Offer within the contexts of:
• A local authority
• An education setting
• Health and Social Care
• The 3rd Sector
• Parent Partnership
What help do you need to get to any of these stages?
Activity

55. Evaluation
• Please fill in the evaluation before you go as it is important
to feed back information to the DfE and CDC.