Home / Education & Learning Schools & Curriculum / Is Your Council’s ‘Local Offer’ a Well-Kept Secret? Find your “Local Offer”

Is Your Council’s ‘Local Offer’ a Well-Kept Secret? Find your “Local Offer”

Is Your Council’s ‘Local Offer’ a Well-Kept Secret? Find your "Local Offer"

If you’ve recently started your SEND journey, you might have heard professionals mention the “Local Offer.” It sounds like a generic marketing term, but in reality, it is a statutory requirement—a legal obligation—for every Local Authority in England to provide.

Think of the Local Offer as a “Yellow Pages” specifically for SEND. It is meant to be a single, clear website where you can find every service available to your child, from education and health to social care and leisure.

What Should Actually Be There?

By law, the Local Offer must be more than just a list of phone numbers. It should include:

  • Education: Details on how mainstream schools support SEND and information on specialist schools in the area.
  • Health: Access to occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and mental health services (CAMHS).
  • Social Care: Information on Short Breaks (respite care), direct payments, and how to request a social care assessment.
  • Preparation for Adulthood: Support for young people moving into further education, training, or independent living.

The “Hidden” Benefits: Short Breaks & Leisure

One of the most valuable (and often overlooked) sections of the Local Offer is the Short Breaks statement. Many parents are unaware that they may be entitled to funding or vouchers for their child to attend holiday clubs, sensory play sessions, or even 1-to-1 support, giving you a much-needed breather.

Many councils also offer a “Max Card” or similar disability discount card through their Local Offer, providing free or discounted entry to major UK attractions like Legoland, Alton Towers, and local cinemas.

How to Use It for Advocacy

The Local Offer isn’t just a directory; it’s a benchmark.

If a school tells you, “We don’t provide [X] service,” but the Local Offer says that all schools in your borough should provide it, you have immediate evidence to challenge them.

Actionable Tip: If you find that your council’s Local Offer website is broken, out of date, or missing information, use the feedback button. Councils are legally required to publish comments from parents about their Local Offer and show what they are doing to fix the issues. Your feedback is a form of advocacy for every other parent in your borough.

How to Find Yours

Find your council below:

Bookmark it. It is the foundation of your local knowledge.


Quick Check: Is Your Local Offer Up to Scratch?

Must HaveDoes your council provide this?
AccessibilityIs it easy to find and read on a mobile?
Short BreaksIs there a clear path to apply for respite/clubs?
TransportIs the school transport policy clearly linked?
FeedbackIs there a visible way to complain or comment?
Local AuthoritySEND Local Offer Website Link
Barking and Dagenhamlbbd.gov.uk/local-offer
Barnetbarnetlocaloffer.org.uk
Barnsleybarnsley.gov.uk/localoffer
Bath & NE Somersetlivewell.bathnes.gov.uk/special-educational-need-or-disability-send
Bedford Boroughlocaloffer.bedford.gov.uk
Bexleybexleylocaloffer.uk
Birminghamlocalofferbirmingham.co.uk
Blackburn with Darwenbwdlocaloffer.org.uk
Blackpoolblackpool.gov.uk/localoffer
Boltonbolton.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poolefid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Bracknell Forestbracknell-forest.gov.uk/local-offer
Bradfordlocaloffer.bradford.gov.uk
Brentbrent.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Brighton & Hovebrighton-hove.gov.uk/send
Bristolbristol.gov.uk/bristol-local-offer
Bromleybromley.gov.uk/localoffer
Buckinghamshirefamilyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/send
Burytheburydirectory.co.uk/send-local-offer
Calderdalecalderdale.gov.uk/local-offer
Cambridgeshirecambridgeshire.gov.uk/local-offer
Camdencamden.gov.uk/local-offer
Central Bedfordshirelocaloffer.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Cheshire Eastcheshireeast.gov.uk/localoffer
Cheshire West & Chesterlivewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
City of Londonfis.cityoflondon.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Cornwallsupportincornwall.org.uk/localoffer
Coventrycoventry.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer
Croydonlocaloffer.croydon.gov.uk
Cumberlandcumberland.gov.uk/local-offer
Darlingtonlivingwell.darlington.gov.uk
Derby Cityderby.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Derbyshirederbyshire.gov.uk/local-offer
Devondevon.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Doncasterdoncaster.gov.uk/localoffer
Dorsetdorsetcouncil.gov.uk/local-offer
Dudleydudleyci.co.uk/send-local-offer
Durhamdurham.gov.uk/localoffer
Ealingegfl.org.uk/local-offer
East Ridingeastridinglocaloffer.org.uk
East Sussexlocaloffer.eastsussex.gov.uk
Enfieldenfield.gov.uk/localoffer
Essexessexlocaloffer.org.uk
Gateshead[suspicious link removed]
Gloucestershireglosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk
Greenwichroyalgreenwich.gov.uk/localoffer
Hackneyhackney.gov.uk/local-offer
Haltonhalton.gov.uk/localoffer
Hammersmith & Fulhamlbhf.gov.uk/local-offer
Hampshirefish.hants.gov.uk/localoffer
Haringeyharingey.gov.uk/local-offer
Harrowharrow.gov.uk/localoffer
Hartlepoolhartlepoolnow.co.uk/local_offer
Haveringhavering.gov.uk/localoffer
Herefordshireherefordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
Hertfordshirehertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
Hillingdonhillingdon.gov.uk/localoffer
Hounslowhounslow.gov.uk/localoffer
Isle of Wightiow.gov.uk/localoffer
Isles of Scillylocalofferscilly.org.uk
Islingtonfindyour.islington.gov.uk
Kensington & Chelsearbkc.gov.uk/localoffer
Kentkent.gov.uk/localoffer
Kingston-upon-Hullhull.gov.uk/localoffer
Kingston-upon-Thameskr.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer
Kirkleeskirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk
Knowsleyknowsleyinfo.co.uk/knowsley-local-offer-send
Lambethlambeth.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Lancashirelancashire.gov.uk/send
Leedsleedslocaloffer.org.uk
Leicester Cityfamilies.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Leicestershireleicestershire.gov.uk/local-offer
Lewishamlewisham.gov.uk/localoffer
Lincolnshirelincolnshire.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Liverpoolfsd.liverpool.gov.uk/localoffer
Lutonluton.gov.uk/localoffer
Manchestermanchester.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer
Medwaymedway.gov.uk/localoffer
Mertonmerton.gov.uk/localoffer
Middlesbroughmiddlesbrough.gov.uk/localoffer
Milton Keynesmilton-keynes.gov.uk/send
Newcastle upon Tynenewcastlesupportdirectory.org.uk
Newhamnewham.gov.uk/localoffer
Norfolknorfolk.gov.uk/localoffer
North East Lincsnelincs.gov.uk/local-offer
North Lincolnshirenorthlincs.gov.uk/local-offer
North Northamptonshirenorthnorthants.gov.uk/local-offer
North Somersetnsod.n-somerset.gov.uk
North Tynesidenorthtyneside.gov.uk/localoffer
North Yorkshirenorthyorks.gov.uk/send-local-offer
Northumberlandnorthumberland.gov.uk/localoffer
Nottingham Cityasklion.co.uk/localoffer
Nottinghamshirenottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk
Oldhamoldham.gov.uk/localoffer
Oxfordshireoxfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer
Peterboroughpeterborough.gov.uk/localoffer
Plymouthplymouthonlinedirectory.com
Portsmouthportsmouthlocaloffer.org
Readingreading.gov.uk/localoffer
Redbridgefind.redbridge.gov.uk/localoffer
Redcar & Clevelandredcar-cleveland.gov.uk/localoffer
Richmond upon Thameskr.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer
Rochdaleourrochdale.org.uk/localoffer
Rotherhamrotherhamsendlocaloffer.org.uk
Rutlandris.rutland.gov.uk/localoffer
Salfordsalford.gov.uk/localoffer
Sandwellsandwell.gov.uk/send
Seftonseftondirectory.com/localoffer
Sheffieldsheffielddirectory.org.uk/localoffer
Shropshireshropshire.gov.uk/the-send-local-offer
Sloughsloughfamilyipp.org.uk
Solihullsocialsolihull.org.uk/localoffer
Somersetsomerset.gov.uk/local-offer
South Gloucestershiresouthglos.gov.uk/localoffer
South Tynesidesouthtyneside.gov.uk/localoffer
Southamptonsid.southampton.gov.uk/localoffer
Southend-on-Seasouthend.gov.uk/localoffer
Southwarklocaloffer.southwark.gov.uk
St Helenssthelens.gov.uk/localoffer
Staffordshirestaffordshireconnects.info
Stockportstockport.gov.uk/send
Stockton-on-Teesstocktoninformationdirectory.org
Stoke-on-Trentlocaloffer.stoke.gov.uk
Suffolksuffolklocaloffer.org.uk
Sunderlandsunderlandinformationpoint.co.uk
Surreysurreylocaloffer.org.uk
Suttonsutton.gov.uk/localoffer
Swindonswindon.gov.uk/localoffer
Tamesidetameside.gov.uk/localoffer
Telford & Wrekintelfordsend.org.uk
Thurrockaskthurrock.org.uk
Torbaytorbay.gov.uk/localoffer
Tower Hamletslocaloffertowerhamlets.co.uk
Traffordtrafforddirectory.co.uk/localoffer
Wakefieldwakefield.mylocaloffer.org
Walsallwalsall.gov.uk/localoffer
Waltham Forestwalthamforest.gov.uk/local-offer
Wandsworthwandsworth.gov.uk/localoffer
Warringtonwarrington.gov.uk/localoffer
Warwickshirewarwickshire.gov.uk/send
West Berkshirewestberks.gov.uk/localoffer
West Northamptonshirewestnorthants.gov.uk/local-offer
West Sussexwestsussex.gov.uk/local-offer
Westminsterwestminster.gov.uk/local-offer
Westmorland & Furnesswestmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Wiganwigan.gov.uk/localoffer
Wiltshirewiltshire.gov.uk/local-offer
Windsor & Maidenheadrbwm.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer
Wirralwirral.gov.uk/localoffer
Wokinghamwokingham.gov.uk/local-offer
Wolverhamptonwolverhampton.gov.uk/send
Worcestershireworcestershire.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer
York Cityyork.gov.uk/localoffer
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Sign up to keep up to date

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

Category List

accountability and oversight adaptation policy AI oversight model AI safety vs innovation algorithmic transparency bias and discrimination community services cost of living policy cyber resilience data governance data protection and AI digital public services equality impact evidence-based policy government consultations human rights implications ICO AI guidance impact assessment implementation timeline inequalities UK inflation and households interoperability labour market changes legal & rights local government funding ministerial announcement model governance notherelong news parliamentary update productivity policy public policy analysis public sector reform public services reform regulator guidance SME regulation spending review stakeholder response statutory duties technology trust in institutions UK AI regulation UK policy explained Westminster briefing what it means for you workforce shortages

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x