Getting involved

The Local Offer website exists to support those with additional needs 0 to 25 years old and those that support them within Wiltshire.

The website should provide the following:

• information on what services and support should be available to residents and related information
• detail an expanding network of ways to get your voice heard, and inform improvements to your services

One of the ways we gather feedback is by arranging visits to existing groups within the Wiltshire SEND community via the Local Offer Reference Group. To find our more visit:

Local Offer Reference Group

If you feel there is something missing from our content, that relates to the above statements, please complete our anonymous feedback form to help us capture ways we can improve.

Submit feedback

Wiltshire council wishes to support the expansion of the provision of clubs and activities across the county for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is to support them to participate in activities that they are interested in alongside their friends and peers.

This grant is for new provision, or expansion of an existing scheme, and not to support the continuation of existing clubs and activities.

We are inviting individuals and organisations to apply for small grants of up to £10,000 to increase the number of opportunities available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities in the Wiltshire area. This could be a new activity or club or could be an increase of something you are already doing.

It must increase opportunities for children and young people, and promote greater inclusion in activities and groups, allowing them to participate alongside their friends and peers.

To read the full terms and conditions visit:

Small Grants Scheme hub page

This scheme has been reopened as of October 2023.

Local community projects and initiatives funding

Wiltshire Council devolves significant funding to the Area Boards in order for them to invest in local community projects and initiatives that meet local priorities and deliver exceptional outcomes for residents. Grant applications must demonstrate how they will improve the local communities by addressing priorities and help to deliver to the council's business plan.

The Area Boards aim to work in partnership to achieve maximum value for its investment. They take a long term view to invest in prevention and early intervention, focusing on tackling inequalities and improving social mobility.

For more information visit:

Area Board Grants

Wiltshire Together is a digital platform that connects people, groups and organisations in Wiltshire to their community. It features opportunities to support, volunteer and find relevant events.

Wiltshire Together (opens new window)

Wessex Community Action (opens new window) is an independent body that works with and for the social sector. They provide practical support to develop products and services to build social value, stimulate connectivity, facilitate growth and build a collective voice. Offering courses like Safeguarding awareness and Hidden Disability Awareness.

Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living was founded in 2005 by disabled people, for disabled people, with one goal in mind: to help everyone live independently with choice and control over their own lives.

Our Vision

We believe in a world where disabled people can live freely, make their own decisions, and enjoy the same rights as everyone else.

Our Mission

We're here to provide the support and services needed to turn that vision into reality.

Whether you live or work in Wiltshire, we're here to help. We offer a wide range of services, advice, and training for individuals, professionals, and organisations interested in disability-related support.

Our office is centrally located in Devizes with easy access for all, but we're happy to meet you wherever you feel most comfortable, even in your own home.

If you want to share feedback, be involved in co-production and more - If you would like to sign up to be a Pioneer visit: 

Pioneers — Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living

The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC) is an independent voluntary organisation representing parent carers of children and young people with SEND from 0-25.

It is managed and run by parent carers, for parent carers. They provide a consultation and participation service which enables parent carers to have a voice about the services and the support their children and family use.

The WPCC also provides the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Service, which provides a wealth of information as well as signposting to specialist services.

Watch: YouTube: The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC) (opens new window)

The following document is a summary of WPCC in leaflet form: WPCC: Promotional leaflet (opens new window)

Their specific page for feedback and engagement can be found by visiting Wiltshire Parent Carer Council: What we do - Have your say! (opens new window)

To look for future events for parent/carers or young people visit: What's on (opens new window)

For more information on WPCC visit:

WPCC 

Healthwatch Wiltshire is your local health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, they want to hear about your experiences.

As an independent statutory body, they have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care. Last year they helped nearly a million people like you to have your say and get the information and advice you need.

To find out how you can get involved visit:

Healthwatch Wiltshire: Get involved (opens new window) 

You can also get involved in improving your local medical practices through the Patient Participation Groups (PPG), which each practice must host information about. See the website for your group practice (medical practice / doctors surgery) for details.

SEND Consultations

Public consultations are an essential part of our development, providing us with necessary feedback, enabling us to develop, change and improve our services.

For specific public proposals and consultations around SEND schools and placements you can visit our Local Offer page on the subject.

Special School and Resource Base Development Projects

Visit the Wiltshire Council consultation portal (consult.wiltshire.gov.uk) (opens new window) to find out about all current consultations, register your interest in future consultations, and see what has happened as a result of past consultations.

Contact details and for more information

For other ways to contact us directly with questions or feedback please visit our contact us page or use the web form:

Submit feedback

To find out more about how consultation and feedback has driven results based change please visit our, You said, we did page.

Wiltshire has a number of local arrangements for collaboration between institutions to support those with SEN.

If you are part of an organisation looking to work with others to improve SEND support you will find a number of existing arrangements on Partnerships. This will include bodies across Education, Health and Social Care.

Partnerships

If you are aware of others that may be useful for us to share please do get in touch at localoffer@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

The Wiltshire Autistic Community Forum meets quarterly, and meetings are hybrid, which enables people to attend either with on-line attendance or attendance in person. Meetings are held from Wiltshire County's County Hall in Trowbridge. People with lived experience attend the Forums together with parent carers.

Purpose of the Forum

The Forum is reviewing the Wiltshire All-Age Autism Strategy and are concentrating on the Strategy's priorities as below:

1. improve health of autistic people and reduce health inequalities
2. support CYP with autism to play, learn and more into adult life
3. support autistic young people and adults to access work
4. support autistic people to live independently in the community wherever possible
5. raise awareness of Autism and make Wiltshire an inclusive place to live, learn and work
6. improve support for autistic people in the criminal justice system

Aims and responsibilities

The feedback and discussions held are reported from the Forum which then drives the focus of the Autism Partnership Board. You can find out more about the board by visiting: Partnerships

Contact the Wiltshire Autistic Community Forum

New attendees are welcomed to attend, for more information about the Wiltshire Autistic Community Forum email autismpartnership@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).