Local Offer SEND information to share with staff who works with parents, carers an SEND children

Do you know about Lancashire's SEND Local Offer?
 
The SEND Local Offer is a vital resource for children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families. It brings together information about education, health, social care, and community services in one accessible place.


Under the Children and Families Act 2014, professionals have a duty to help families access accurate and up-to-date SEND information. Familiarity with the Local Offer helps us meet this responsibility and ensure families know what support is available.


The Local Offer helps families understand what support is available, how to access it, and what to expect from services across the county.

What you need to know
 
As council staff working with children and young people and families, you may be approached by families seeking support for a child or young person with SEND. The Local Offer is a key tool to help guide those conversations.


It includes:

• details of local services and organisations offering SEND support
• guidance on Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
• information on early years, school, and post-16 provision
• resources for transitioning to adulthood
• a searchable SEND Directory of activities, advice, and support

How you can use and promote it
 
You can support families by:

• signposting them to the SEND Local Offer website
• encouraging them to explore the Lancashire Service Finder SEND Directory  
• sharing the Local Offer in team meetings, at events, or via social media
• using it yourself to stay informed about the range of support available

We also have a Lancashire Local Offer Facebook page which is updated with information about SEND services and support, upcoming events and webinars and resources for families and professionals. Please follow and share posts from this page to help raise awareness of the Local Offer and signpost families to the support available across Lancashire.


If families would like to receive updates about SEND in their local area they can receive a free newsletter, by joining the FIND database.


By understanding and promoting the SEND Local Offer, we can help ensure families across Lancashire feel informed, supported, and empowered to access the services they need. Thank you for your support with this.