You Said, We Did
'You said, We did' is where we capture feedback from forums or direct communications and show what we are doing to make improvements in response to that feedback. We use consultation and co-creation approaches to make sure the community voice is the guiding force throughout.
Summary of Local Offer feedback
Growing up and moving on event
Growing up and moving on event
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There have been some common threads that we have received feedback on, and taken forward. Feedback will always be anonymous. We may merge the sentiment from multiple similar requests to set out the 'You said':
2023
You said:
The Local Offer is improving and its responses have been helpful
We did:
- Thanked the individuals for their comments
- Created this entry to say thank you to all those who have, and continue to, engage with the Local Offer. The improvements are the result of community members and workers from across Wiltshire making suggestions, raising issues and helping create the content
- We will continue to work to co-produce this resource with our community and for our community with even more improvements to come
- As always to suggest improvements please email localoffer@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window), visit Submit feedback or visit Getting involved
You said:
It was not always obvious or easy to navigate from a reference to a policy to the relevant policy or quotes from it
We did:
- We have amended our Resource section pages to make it easier to navigate and ensured key policies are at the start of the page.
- As we rework content across the Local Offer we will stay mindful of referencing as a key area to improve. Linking as simply as we can to supporting information for further reading, to improve the users flow to the information they require.
- We will also include supporting information about the legislation around the Local Offer in the materials to support the Local Offer Reference Group 2024, this will help the community engaged with improving the Local Offer to understand their legal rights on what to expect from it in a supported way.
You said:
Wording is not always clear and amount of text in SEND processes can be a barrier
We did:
- We have a new tool that helps develop the Local Offer website called Silktide (opens new window) which includes evaluation of average reading age of pages and flags areas we can improve
- We have and will continue to respond to specific incidences submitted to us where people think we can improve
- Many of our pages and processes have recently been through a co-production process to help us improve written communications with the SEND service. For example Annual Reviews which includes details of the new forms designed in partnership with young people, parent/ carers and SENCOs.
- Our What is Local Offer about? page is a start of our journey to explore using media to promote different ways to make information more accessible on the Local Offer
- Training is also being shared with our staff around best practices for person centred writing in statutory processes by the SVPP
- The area of work around accessibility of text is a key ongoing objective for the Local Offer to improve on as we continue to revise and augment the resource.
You said:
The online Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) form sometime breaks
We did:
- Our technical team has made some improvements to aid stability
- We have added additional information to ensure users are fully aware of the support available when thinking of submitting a form, "If you are considering requesting an EHC Needs Assessment, you should contact the SEND Team to discuss the request on 01225 712620. SEND Lead Workers can help and advise you on next steps."
- We have also added, "Use the 'report this page' feature if you have issues as this will help us develop and improve this system. To discuss the process before making a referral you can call the SEND team by phoning 01225 712620."
You said:
More information was needed about Education, Health and Care Needs assessments (EHCNA) and who to talk to about them
We did:
- We have recently updated the EHCNA section with clearer information
- We have added a 'Who to talk to' section and made clear links to how to contact the SEND team
- The page dedicated to contacting the SEND team has been improved to provide more direct contact information to different teams
You said:
You wished you had heard about the Local Offer sooner
We did:
- We started an increased effort to market the Local Offer in 2023
- In-person presence at a range of public events across the county over the year
- Social media campaigns with a reach of over 50,000 between April and November
- Starting a SEND newsletter which has gained 820 subscribers in the first year
- Partnership working with a wide range of services across the county
- Stakeholder group visits to share the Local Offer, answer questions and get feedback
- The Local Offer is included in SENCO training from the School Effectiveness team
You said:
Community members suggested a range of acronyms we should add to our Jargon Buster
We Did:
- We have added the suggested acronyms like WAAS, SALT, ELSA and continue to develop and expand this resource.
- We are improving the plain English writing of pages and ensuring acronym use is minimised or explained at the instance of use. Improving the readability and accessibility of text is an ongoing objective for the Local Offer.
You said:
SEND parenting courses covering the age of adult transition would be helpful
We did:
Highlighted our courses on our Advice and Support pages. We also added the 'Time out for Parents' which is delivered in partnership with the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council and 'SWAPP' courses both which cover the ages of transition for those with additional needs.
You Said:
The information about DSR/ CETR was not on the Local Offer website
We Did:
- Contacted the ICB and relevant involved stakeholders to arrange for the Wiltshire DSR information to be drafted
- Published the information and supporting policy which can be found by visiting, Dynamic Support Register.
You Said:
We need more information on Mental Health
We Did:
- Added Mental Health information to our Advice and support sections.
- Added Mental Health information to our 0 to 16 health sections and 16 + adulthood health sections.
You Said:
There should be more information on local clubs for the SEND community
We Did:
- Increased the links to Wiltshire Together (opens new window) community activities and support site
- Worked with the Ability Sports team to update information about their offer across the county
- Continue to update our Leisure pages as we are made aware of new clubs on offer
- The Small Grants Scheme hub page which can be found through Getting involved highlights a scheme to support the development of activity provision in the community
You Said:
It was not always clear how to capture the evidence you wanted to give in annual reviews
We did:
We have recently reviewed the annual review process and co-produced a new set of documents and guidance in line with the views of young people, parent carers and professionals to ensure the right information is captured and the process is easier to use. We also added lots of supportive information about the process to the Local Offer.
You said:
It is not always easy to get in touch with the SEND service team
We did:
Our SEND team has reviewed the way the service works and come up with a new way for the community to access the service.
- The team can be contacted directly via a new direct number
- The team is now working in areas so you will be talking to service members familiar with the schools and services in that part of Wiltshire
- The information about how the service operates and contact information for the service has been published on the Local Offer along with a supporting list of schools broken down by area
You Said:
You wanted to know what it was like for children and young people using SEND Service transport for the first time going to school.
We did:
- we asked the children at Silverwood School to tell us about their experience
- we added their comments to the Travel pages
- we added a info banner to let parent/ carers know they can contact the SEND transport team to arrange 'meet the driver' sessions to help minimise anxiety
- we added the comments, from all the children, in full to the primary and secondary age voice sections
You said:
We are missing information on opportunities for post 16s
We did:
- we have added information about lots of new leisure opportunities in Wiltshire
- we have linked the Local Offer to Wiltshire Together (opens new window) to help promote opportunities offered by the wider community
- we have expanded the information on our education and employment page to cover more pathways
You said:
Travel information for those 16 to 19 years of age and post 19 policy was not clear
We did:
- consulting with the Travel Coordinator we updated the information we held on the Post 16 Travel page
- the most up to date policy guide has been added and clearer instructions added
- the travel assistance request form has also been amended to be clearer on the 19+ travel offer
You said:
The EHC Needs Assessment process needs reviewing and redesigning
We did:
- new EHCNA portal for schools and settings with pop up guidance
- new EHCNA e-form
- how-to complete an EHCNA form video for schools and settings
- parent request form
- CYP (16+) request form
- new section regarding EHC assessments and plans on Local Offer
- FAQ sheet
You said:
We are missing information on Apprenticeships.
We did:
- we have updated the information we hold on who can help with applications and how to apply.
- the information can be found by visiting the path to employment section
You said:
The DaD1 entry provides further access to a 'Tri-fold Leaflet ' and this leaflet informs of a DaD3 but I have not been able to locate more detailed information on its composition and role similar to that given for DaD1 and DaD2. Can you please indicate to me where these more specific DaD3 details can be found?
We did:
- emailed enquirer to thank them for their helpful feedback
- discussed request with the content writer for the specialist area
- uploaded the updated information to the EHCP sections of the website
You said:
We need to review and redesign the way decisions are made about EHCPs
We did:
- introduction of DaD1 (EHCNA consideration panel)
- transformation of DaD2 panel
- introduction of DaD3
- new Terms of Reference
- decision making proformas and guidance.
- induction training events for schools/settings
- parent moderation - recruitment, training and partnership agreements via WPCC
- Local Offer webpage updated to explain DaDs.
- tri-fold leaflet explaining new processes
- 'You said We did' feedback on Local Offer webpage
2022
You said:
You could not find information on Disabled Living Allowance (DLA)
We did:
This information has been added to each age groups Benefits and Grants page, it can be found by visiting Money advice in any age section.
You said:
We need more information about parent and sibling support
We did:
- We have added a wider range of service and support across our age based Advice and Support pages.
- We have improved links to our Parenting courses which contain information about available family support as well as advice
- Wiltshire Together: All Together (opens new window) is a new community site developed in partnership with the community and key stakeholders by the Family and Communities Transformation programme. We link to this across the Local Offer for family support information
- Carer support Has a page of its own and improved links from across the site to help people find it
- The Local Offer Officer has visited Young Carer groups and Parent Carer groups to get further feedback on content and information required by families
You said:
There is still references to CAF when it is now ESA
We did:
- Our pages have been vetted and amended to remove and replace references.
- We continue working on reviewing and updating the large number of documents on the Local Offer as some contain dated language, these will be removed or replaced with a revised webpage version. This will allow easier searching for information and faster future revisions to improve accuracy.
- If you notice out of date references or errors we may have missed please do report them to localoffer@wiltshire.gov.uk or by visiting Submit feedback
You said:
We are missing information on health services
We did:
- We now have designated leads from HCRG and the ICB to help provide the Local Offer with updates and information
- Our Health Partners have helped us to update our pages with up to date information on health services and continue to do so
You said:
stop calling
EHCP, My Plan, as it is confusing.
We did:
- we have stopped referring to EHCP as My Plan
- we are working through the Local Offer website to remove or replace the references to My Plan with EHCP as appropriate
- the EHCP age section and overview page from the homepage on the Local Offer have been improved and updated in line with this
You said:
we are missing information on transition into adulthood.
We did:
- the preparation for adulthood team worked on a collection of resources around growing up and moving on; this can be found under the Local Offer adulthood section, in booklets at events and on QR code cards
- this work was co-produced with voices from the Wiltshire SEND community
- the work was promoted at an event at the Devizes Corn Exchange during October 2022
You said:
Where can I find information and contacts for a child/YP moving schools to Wiltshire.
We did:
- shared the correct information and thanked enquirers for getting in touch
- discussed how best to share the correct details with relevant team members
- drafted, checked and uploaded the clearer information to the Local Offer which can be found by visiting, Moving county and admissions information
You said:
At a joint webinar with the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC), parents told us that they wanted us to be more transparent about how and why we make
SEND statutory decisions.
We did:
We worked with the WPCC to train parent moderator representatives who now observe our SEND decision making panels on a regular basis. They use a set of judgement standards and then meet with the SEND Team Managers afterwards to give feedback.
The feedback has helped us:
- introduce a parent and a young person's request form for an EHC assessment
- provide clear feedback to the parent when we decide not to carry out a statutory assessment on their child
- make sure we always discuss the parent and child's view as a priority at the DaD meeting
You said:
Changing Places are publicly accessible facilities that have enough space and the right equipment to support a wide range of needs that standard accessible toilets do not support. There is a list already on the Wiltshire Council website in the adult care section, but this would be really useful information for a lot of families.
We did:
- emailed contact to thank them for their helpful feedback
- uploaded the information and further links to the Leisure sections from primary age to adulthood
- uploaded the links to further information to the List of Services section
You said:
it is confusing, not clear which options are for which services, and different recordings make it hard to follow.
it makes me feel panicky as I don't know which option to press as a parent carer wanting information
there is so much information to listen to!!
We did:
- emailed parents to thank them for their helpful feedback
- shared the feedback with the relevant managers who were developing the service
- WPCC continued to meet to review progress
As a Result:
The new Front Door Number is clear, it refers to parent and carers, and tells them the options they can press.
You said:
You should include a line on the website that sets out the Local Offer is about, Services for children and Young People with
SEND.
We did:
- this has been added to the front page of the website
- there is also a page with a more detailed description of the Local Offer on the homepage, drafted in collaboration with WPCC
To read older entries please visit the following page: You Said, We Did Archive