Last updated:
25th July 2023
The SEND Local Offer Explained
Our Local Offer provides information about the local support available for children and young people with SEND and their families.
The SEND Local Offer provides children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families, with information about the support available to them locally between birth and the age of 25.
It helps parents, carers, and young people browse the services, support, and information available in their local area and understand how to access them.
What is in the Local Offer?
Wokingham Borough Council's SEND Local Offer is made up of advice, guidance, and a directory to help you find the services you need.
Visit the Wokingham borough SEND Local Offer web section for more information.
Directory of services
To search for services in the local area, visit our:
Here you can find information about:
- Benefits and financial guidance
- Health
- Schools and education
- Leisure and activities
- Special educational needs
- Short breaks
- Support groups
- Transport
Alternatively, if you don't have internet access, the SEND Local Offer can be viewed at your local library.
Tell us what you think
Help us improve by giving us feedback on our website and the services on offer.
- Is our SEND Local Offer easy to use?
- Could you find the information that you needed?
- Was there a service you were searching for that you couldn't find?
Use the smiley faces at the bottom of each page to comment your feedback, or email us at info.families@wokingham.gov.uk.
The Children and Families Act (2014)
The Children and Families Act (2014) introduced key changes to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) system:
- Educational, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) replace the statement of special educational needs.
- School Action and School Action Plus is replaced by a school-based category, Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support.
- A SEN Code of Practice.
- Personal budgets for those with an Education, Health, and Care Plan.
- Mediation for parents going to Tribunal.
- Individual Action Plans are longer used.
What does this mean for young people and their families?
The introduction of this act put the child or young person and their family at the centre of the process.
Examples of the positive impact it has had include:
- Children's Special Educational Needs (SEN) are identified early and support is put in place quickly.
- Young people and their parents have greater control over the services they use.
- Parents know what they can expect their pre-school, primary and secondary schools, college, local authority, health services, and local services to provide.
- Practitioners have the knowledge, understanding, and skills to support children and young people who have SEN or disabilities.
- Children and young people are encouraged to be optimistic regarding their academic achievements and capability in their wider lives.
- For more complex needs, practitioners work together with families. In some cases, a singular Education, Health, and Care Plan is created that can be in place from birth to age 25.
