We use cookies to collect information about how you use localoffer.wiltshire.gov.uk We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.
Wiltshire has one of the largest UK's largest military communities thanks to the number of military establishments that operate within our borders, and veterans choosing to remain or return to live here.
We are passionate about supporting and understanding the needs of all our residents, that includes those service members who have the unique requirements aligned with military life.
To read more about Wiltshire's commitment to improving and maintaining positive integration to local communities, services and support visit:
Wiltshire is also part of the Ministry of Defence Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP). This is a partnership between the MOD and 16 English local authorities that have committed to work together to improve the experience and outcomes of children of UK Armed Forces families. For more information visit: GOV.UK: Guidance - MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) (opens new window).
For support information not specific to additional needs for SEND young people and their families/carers you can visit MCI/Army basing.
Your voice and getting involved
To find out more about how to get involved in developing services and support for SEND in Wiltshire visit:
If you have been notified of a base move to Wiltshire, you should let the SEND Service know as soon as it is confirmed. This will assist our team in arranging the transfer of information about an EHCP or ongoing needs assessments. It is helpful to make sure the school knows our contact details for sending us paperwork and that we know details for any Military Welfare Liaison Officers assisting the move. For information about how to contact our team visit: Contacting the Wiltshire SEND team For specific information about moving with a EHC Plan visit: Moving in or out of Wiltshire with an EHCP.
To read some examples of what processes happen when a family moves to Wiltshire with an EHCP visit:
From pre-school onwards a range of support is offered through educational settings to ensure children and young people get their best start in life. If additional needs are identified there is provision Wiltshire Council expects all learners to be able to benefit from. You can read more about this by visiting: Wiltshire Ordinarily Available Provision for All Learners (OPAL)
Service personnel with children (reception to year 11) in state schools in England should notify schools of their children's service status to ensure they are recorded prior to the next autumn census (first Thursday in October) in order to qualify for Service pupil premium (SPP). You can read more about how this school funding supports you child by visiting GOV.UK Ministry of Defence: Service Pupil Premium: what you need to know (opens new window).
Education Settings/Parent/Carers or young people may also request an Education, Health, Care and Needs assessment if the graduated approach to additional needs support is still not meeting the needs of the young person. Information about this process can be found by visiting EHC assessments.
The Armed Service Covenant is understood and implemented when children and young people with an EHCP from MoD families move into Wiltshire, with effective liaison with MoD education officers in relation to individual casework. Requests for information from MoD education officers, for example when there are queries in relation to Wiltshire place developments, are provided by service managers or Head of Service to ensure that the MoD is sighted on Wiltshire placement availability.
Knowledge for the family and further training
There are a number of courses for Parent/Carers which aim to help develop family knowledge and skills around supporting additional needs and you can read about these by visiting Parenting courses.
For support with additional health needs for a young person over the age of 18 in Wiltshire you can find a range of support and services by visiting Adult Health - Wiltshire Local Offer.
The NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire is offering military families in the region dedicated help and support to navigate any issues and queries they may have which relate to local health and care.
Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists
Mental health problems are common and can affect anyone, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families. It's important to get help and support if you or someone you know has mental health problems.
Wiltshire residents can text WILTS to 85258 to access free, confidential mental health support from a trained volunteer who will aim to get them to a safe and calm place. This will include coming up with a plan around how they are going to support themselves moving forward, and signposting to local support agencies where appropriate. They can help with anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying.
This service is available to Wiltshire residents of all ages, it is available 24/7 and won't appear on the bill.
Rethink Mental Illness (16+)
The Rethink Mental Illness: Wiltshire Mental Health Inclusion Service (opens new window) provides a community mental health service for those in Wiltshire. It is to help support you if you are feeling isolated or lonely due to your mental health and create opportunities of growth to access your local community. The service is jointly funded by Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire Commissioning Group.
These apps have been designed to help users to manage things that they might find difficult when experiencing low mood, anxiety, or stress. They work by teaching skills and strategies to manage these feelings in the moment, and to help reduce their impact in the future. Some of the apps can also direct users to sources of more information, local resources, and who to contact in a crisis.
If you are moving into Wiltshire and have evidence of a disability that requires housing adaptations (major or minor) you can get support having your requirements assessed. For service families your housing officer should assist with this process by providing you the correct forms and contacts, our OTs have good connections to the military adaptation team already and often carry out joint visits with their surveyors and contractors. It is helpful to make contact before you arrive in Wiltshire but no earlier than 3 months prior and provide the name of which military housing officer you are liasing with.
For assessing the needs of a young person under 18 if you are new to Wiltshire and not known to a social worker please Contact children's services. They can help triage your request and complete the relevant forms.
The Children and Young Peoples Team occupational therapists can be contacted directly for questions or if you are already known to children's services:
For wider information about additional needs support for employment and training in Wiltshire you can visit Education, employment and training.
Serving personal, veterans and their families can access the courses on the Family and Community Learning programme. Courses available range from maths, English and language training to budgeting and cooking. They are always keen to hear what might be helpful or talk to you about the options, visit Work Wiltshire: Find Me A Course (opens new window).
The Building Bridges programme is being relaunched with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via Wiltshire Council and the new programmes will run through to April 2025
The programme offers a holistic service that provides personalised support to people with significant barriers & challenges to help them build their independence and move towards education & employment outcomes.
The programme can support participants who are aged 16+, but those aged under 18 need to be NEET (not in education, employment & training) or at risk of becoming so.
Participants need to have the legal right to work in the UK and we can support those who are:
economically inactive
unemployed but not receiving support from DWP employability programmes
employed but facing barriers & challenges to sustain employment
Although military life has many benefits, military-connected families also experience unique challenges such as being separated from loved ones and having to relocate frequently. This can create stress and anxiety for parents, carers and children. By providing support at an early stage, this can build families' resilience and improve their wellbeing.
Access to early support community groups develops young children's personal, social, and emotional development and enhances communication and interactions skills. It can also support parents/carers to develop relationships with others and builds links in the community.
Wiltshire has four District Specialist Centres, also known as Opportunity Groups. They provide setting based sessions for young children (aged 0 to 5 years) with special education needs and/or disability (SEND) and support for parents/carers. To find out more visit:
Family hubs are here to give support and guidance to all Wiltshire families and young people aged from 0 to 19, as well as up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Family hubs in Wiltshire are run on behalf of Wiltshire Council by the charity Spurgeons (opens new window). This charity receives funding from Wiltshire Council to help all families develop and flourish.
Services offered by Family hubs:
one to one support in the home
parenting advice and groups led by staff and volunteer parents/carers
advice around early learning and help to access services
support from community based 'navigators' who can help with everything from finding sources of support, through to accessing education and returning to work
If you are looking for ability friendly sports activities in Wiltshire there are a wide range of accessible options across the County. You can find more information by visiting Ability Sports. If you have something in mind that is not currently available there is support for volunteers looking to set up their own groups, visit: Club and coach development.
The digital platform that connects people, groups and organisations in Wiltshire to their community. You can list and find support, volunteering, groups and relevant events.
If you are struggling to find something to support a particular additional need as a young person under 25 a carer or family member there are people you can talk to.
Civilian contacts
If you need to contact children's services about a safeguarding concern please visit - Contact children's services
You may be giving emotional support, or have to keep a close eye on the person you care for. Caring for someone can be demanding, and being identified as a carer can be important to get the support you need to continue in your caring role. A carer can also be a young person.
For more information about the support in Wiltshire for Young and Adult carers visit - Carer support
Wiltshire SENDIASS is the statutory information, support and advice service for Wiltshire, provided by Family Action, a national charity that hosts nine SENDIAS Services. They offer free, independent and impartial information relating to education, health and social care for children and young people (0-25) with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and their families, to empower them to make appropriate and informed choices.
Services include:
providing impartial and confidential advice and information for children, young people and families on SEND around education, health and care
offering support with education, health and care plans (EHCP), including annual reviews, informal and formal mediation and tribunals
supporting you to work with education providers to ensure your child/young person's needs are met
offering support and advice on transport, exclusions - related to SEND, disability discrimination, elective home education and personal budgets
support with writing letters and completing forms, and assistance with discussions and meetings with schools, the local authority SEN team and SEND professionals
support with resolving disagreements helping you to consider and determine the best way forward
providing information and signposting to support services in your area
DCS provides a single focus for all issues related to Service children and young people, providing high-quality education at 22 schools and settings in locations around the world. DCS also directly supports Service families, providing advice on a wide range of educational matters both overseas and in the UK, delivered by specialist education and advisory teams.
Information about the Education Advisory Team (UK)
The Education Advisory Team (EAT) (UK), contactable at RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk (opens new window), is part of DCS. It provides professional information, advice and guidance regarding the education of Service Children in the UK.
EAT also provides advice and guidance for service personnel and eligible MOD civilians regarding education and education-related issues, such as retention of Service Family Accommodation, the Continuity of Education Allowance & the Special Educational Needs Addition, Special Educational Needs and School Admissions.
The team comprises of qualified professional educational advisers, team advisers and administrators.
Information about the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST)
This team coordinates the educational supportability assessment process for overseas postings, in respect of children with Special Educational Needs and those for whom parents have selected Elective Home Education.
If you are worried about a young person at risk of harm please visit Worried about a child?. If you believe there is a risk of criminal harm or a crime has been committed call 999.
The Local Offer has a variety of ways you can contact us if you are unsure where to look for support, want to raise gaps in information or suggest site improvements.
Discover your local support in Wiltshire for families and young people with SEND, special needs and disabilities, from years 0 to 25. Services, advice and ways to feedback.
Contact details for Wiltshire Local Offer - we provide services for children and young people (aged 0 to 25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the Wiltshire community.
