The Essex Local Offer

The Children and Families Act requires every local authority to publish a Local Offer.

A Local Offer gives children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their families information about what education, health and social care support services the local authority think will be available in their local area.

It is not simply a directory of services – a Local Offer also contains information about the support available.

Who the Local Offer is for

The Local Offer is for:

• children and young people aged 0 to 25 with SEND;
• their parents and carers;
• and practitioners and professionals so they can help you find support.

How it can help

The Local Offer can:

• make it easier to find the support which is nearest and most suitable for you
• help you to be less dependent on other people or word of mouth
• help you to ask the right questions

For people who do not have access to the internet, visit your local Essex library.  You can also speak to a member of a SEND team at Essex County Council, your lead health or social care worker, SENDIASS or your school. They can help guide you through the Local Offer.

Adding services

If you or your organisation provide a service to children and/or young people aged 0 to 25 and want to join for free, please email essex.localoffer@essex.gov.uk.

If you know of a support service in Essex and it is not on the Essex Local Offer, please tell us at essex.localoffer@essex.gov.uk.

Co-production 

Essex County Council works with families and professionals to design and review the Essex Local Offer. Read more on co-production.

You said, we did

Every local authority must get feedback on its Local Offer from young people and their families.
They must show what feedback they have been given and say how they are going to make improvements to the Local Offer and services.  Read the latest you said, we did information.