What is the local offer? SEND local offer explained for FE

The local offer is a signposting duty. It helps young people and families find what exists in their area, and it makes services visible so they can be improved.

What must a local offer include?

Section 30 of the Children and Families Act 2014 requires each local authority to publish a local offer. It must set out the provision the authority expects to be available for children and young people with SEND, both those who have an EHC plan and those who do not. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 list what must be included, such as education, health and care provision, training provision, arrangements for travel, support for preparing for adulthood and how to make complaints.

The authority must involve young people, parents and providers in developing and reviewing the offer, and publish comments and its response.

How does the local offer apply in FE and apprenticeships?

For further education, the offer should cover post-16 provision: colleges, apprenticeships, traineeships, supported internships, independent specialist colleges and routes into employment. Colleges are expected to cooperate with the authority and supply accurate information about their SEND provision, including how to ask for support and who to contact.

Inclusion teams can use the local offer in three ways. They can check that the college’s entry is accurate and up to date. They can use it to help applicants and families understand what is available. They can also draw on it when advising learners about services in the area, including post-18 options. Learners who live in one authority but study in another may need to look at both offers.

The local offer covers all SEND, so it matters even where a learner does not have an EHCP. See our guide to the SEND code of practice for post-16.

What is a common misconception about the local offer?

Many people think the local offer is a list of entitlements. It is not. It is a description of what is expected to be available. It does not create new rights to services, and the existence of a service in the offer does not mean a learner will receive it. Entitlement to specific provision comes from the learner’s assessed needs and, where there is one, the EHCP.

Another misconception is that the local offer is only for school-age children. It covers ages 0 to 25.

Where can you find the official source?

Section 30 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Regulations 2014 set the duty. The SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years explains what good looks like, including for colleges. Your own local authority publishes its offer, usually through a council website.