West Sussex Local Offer

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West Sussex Local Offer The SEND Code of Practice became law in September 2014 and saw many changes within the world of Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provision.

The West Sussex Local Offer helps parent carers and their children aged 0 to 25 years, who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), find information and services. One was the requirement for every Local Authority to have a Local Offer. The West Sussex Parent Carer Forum
actively participated in every stage of the
development of our Local Offer by attending
workshops and providing ind

ividual and
group feedback to the various pilot sites. A parent* representative is a member of the Local
Offer Steering Group (which meets every other
month) ensuring the parental voice continues to be
heard. This year we recruited over 20 parents to
act as Local Offer Ambassadors within the county. Together we continue to promote and support the
growth/development of our Local Offer. These
parents represent a wide range of differing needs
and are based across our large County. Their input
is important in ensuring our Local Offer reflects
our SEND community and is truly inclusive. A key issue for the Forum has always been to keep
our children safe. Whilst statutory services are
subject to rigorous checks this is not always the
case for those within the private sector. Please
do take the time to watch our video about ‘Using
the Local Offer Safely’ and read the guidance
notes. You can find this on the website homepage
using the ‘How to use our Local Offer’ button.

Have you heard of the Disability Register? West Sussex County Council collects information about children and young peop...
10/04/2026

Have you heard of the Disability Register?

West Sussex County Council collects information about children and young people aged 0 to 25 with SEND to help plan and deliver their services.

You can also collect a MAX Card, which provides discounts on attractions and activities across England. You can sign up to the Disability Register Newsletter and keep up with SEND news and events across the county.

Sign up today!

What the Disability Register is and how to sign up.

Do you know a child or young person who has communication difficulties? ‘Understand Me - The Communication Library’ is a...
07/04/2026

Do you know a child or young person who has communication difficulties?

‘Understand Me - The Communication Library’ is a service delivered by West Sussex libraries.

Anyone who needs help with communication can borrow a range of free resources, such as simple flashcards, devices for recording personal messages, and specially adapted toys to help young children learn through play! All you need is a West Sussex library card.
To find out how you can reserve resources that can help, click the link below👇

Did you know the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect against infections that can lead to several ca...
04/04/2026

Did you know the HPV vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect against infections that can lead to several cancers, including cervical cancer?

A single dose, given in school, helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers, saving lives and reducing pressure on families. Vaccination rates are still below pre-pandemic levels, and 1 in 4 young people are leaving school unprotected.

If your child missed their HPV vaccine, please don’t wait. Contact your GP or Sussex 0-19 immunisation service by visiting: https://ow.ly/CVG550YkfyF to catch up.

For more advice check: https://ow.ly/XmwB50YkfyG

It is World Autism Awareness Day!Today highlights the need to help improve the quality of life of people living with Aut...
02/04/2026

It is World Autism Awareness Day!

Today highlights the need to help improve the quality of life of people living with Autism.

Why not get involved to show your support by fundraising and joining a spectrum colour 5k walk this April.

To find out more please visit, https://waam.autism.org.uk/

Celebrate with us this World by joining the 5k sponsored and our new Spectrum run 10k in Battersea Park, London.

Technology is part of many children’s lives, helping them learn, build friendships, and develop creativity.However, tech...
01/04/2026

Technology is part of many children’s lives, helping them learn, build friendships, and develop creativity.

However, technology also brings potential risks. 📱

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have launched a consultation to find out how children use digital technology as well as other measures.

Responses are welcome from everyone. To give your views, visit: https://ow.ly/v3sF50YzHFZ.

The consultation closes on 26 May 2026.

We are consulting on further measures to prepare children for the future in an age of rapid technological change. This includes potential age restrictions on social media and other services such as gaming sites and AI chatbots, restrictions on addictive design features and risky functionalities, and...

The Government has proposed changes in education in its recently published white paper ‘Every Child Achieving and Thrivi...
30/03/2026

The Government has proposed changes in education in its recently published white paper ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’. The aim is to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. You can read a response from Claire Hayes, Director of Education and Skills for West Sussex County Council on the SEND Local Offer news page: 👉 https://ow.ly/xEf050YzHik

Visit https://ow.ly/S1J350YzHij to read the white paper. The document is available in different formats, including accessible, easy read and British Sign Language (BSL).

A public consultation is now open for you to share your views about the proposed changes. The consultation is open for 12 weeks and closes on 18 May 2026. To take part in the consultation visit: https://ow.ly/ri8350YzHil

Visit https://ow.ly/LWT750YzHir to find information about the consultation in different formats, including accessible, easy read and BSL.

Proposed changes to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, including early, fair support, with shared accountabilities across local partners.

Little brains grow fast - and how they spend their screen time matters more than you might think. Best Start in Life has...
29/03/2026

Little brains grow fast - and how they spend their screen time matters more than you might think. Best Start in Life has pulled together simple, practical tips to help your under-5 build healthy habits from the start.

Visit https://ow.ly/okhf50YzYh7 for practical guidance.

Guidance for parents on managing screen time for under 5s. Learn what's recommended and how to build healthy habits from an early age.

Join the Broadfield Library SEND team this Easter holiday for a drop in and play SEND-friendly activity! Play with senso...
28/03/2026

Join the Broadfield Library SEND team this Easter holiday for a drop in and play SEND-friendly activity!

Play with sensory toys and experience the libraries dark den, build something with the construction club materials, and get creative on the doodle table.

Activities are designed for children and young people with SEND and their families.

Tuesday 7 April 📅
2.00pm to 3.30pm 🕰
Broadfield Library 📍

This is a free event and no booking needed, simply turn up and play!

Visit https://ow.ly/kM9q50YwlO6 to view all holiday activities taking place in West Sussex libraries. Image by Tara Winstead via pexels.

Have you heard about the Youth Justice Service? West Sussex Youth Justice Service (YJS) works with children and young pe...
28/03/2026

Have you heard about the Youth Justice Service?

West Sussex Youth Justice Service (YJS) works with children and young people and their communities to tackle youth crime in West Sussex.

Our Local Offer website has information about how they support children and young people with SEND who find themselves in custody.

Visit our webpage here to learn more:

Youth custody and children and young people with SEND.

Are you applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child?Contact is a charity for families of disabled chil...
26/03/2026

Are you applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for your child?

Contact is a charity for families of disabled children.

They have detailed information on DLA and tips on completing the Disability Living Allowance Form.
Get support here:

A brief explanation of some of the more difficult parts of the DLA1A Child form with comments about the kind of information to include.

25/03/2026

We've just launched our new SEND Strategy, setting out a clear vision for SEND services in West Sussex.

The strategy has been co-produced with the NHS, with support from the West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, and has been shaped by feedback from families, young people, and schools. It focuses on the things families have said matter most to them.

Find out more here: https://orlo.uk/6xY9R

Are you studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at university or via distance learning? You may be eligible...
25/03/2026

Are you studying for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at university or via distance learning?

You may be eligible for help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability.

Visit Local Offer to learn more about the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Find out about applying for 16 to 19 Bursary Fund Benefits and Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

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