SEND

SENDCO: Mr Darran Farrer / Ms Jenny Walker

SEND Governor: George Hayes

Please contact Jenny or Darran through the office.

The local offer: SEND Code of Practice (2014)

You may be aware that from September 2014, the new SEN Code of Practice came into force. As a result of this, there were some changes to the way schools and local authorities ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are met.

What does this mean to me?

From September 2014, all local authorities and schools must publish information, about the services they expect to be available in their area or school for children and young people aged 0 – 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is known as the “local offer”.

The development of a local offer is one of a number of changes to the way children and young people with SEND are supported as a result of the Children and Families Act. Schools also publish an annual Special Educational Needs Information Report, which will outline what individual schools are able to offer in order to support children and families with SEND.

To view Cambridgeshire’s local offer click Cambridgeshire’s Local Offer.
You will find our School’s local offer in the document attached below.  This was produced in consultation with the parents of children currently at our school with SEND and we hope that this will give you an overview of what to expect from us here at Great Gidding.

The two key purposes of the local offer are to:

1. Provide clear, comprehensive and accessible and up-to-date information about the available provision and how to access it; and
2. Make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving children and young people with SEN or disabilities, parents and carers and service providers in its development and review

What does the local offer cover?

The local offer will include information about health and social care services, education, leisure activities and support groups in the area for children and young people aged 0 – 25 with SEND and their families.

There will be information about:

• services and support available
• how children and young people’s needs are identified and assessed
• the way schools, colleges and maintained nurseries support children and young people with SEND
• how to access services and how decisions are made
• preparation for adulthood and independence
• arrangements for making a complaint and mediation
• how to comment on the local offer

Why is the local offer important?

The local offer will help parents, carers and young people to see clearly the range of services and support that are available in their local area and understand how to access them.

However if you require additional information, please contact the school office to arrange to speak with Claire Eason our SENDCo.  She can be contacted via email: claire.eason@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

We have also published our SEND Policy below for your information.