Local Offer Annual Report 2023
Local Offer Voice
There are several ways community members can provide their views in relation to the Local Offer. The aim is to be open and accessible to as many people as possible.
Online - Local Offer survey (opens new window), Submit feedback (anonymous), email at localoffer@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).
In person - There is a calendar of events (Getting involved) to engage with a range of Local Offer services directly, many of these are also attended by the Local Offer Officer. There are also regular visits to community groups across the county to discuss the work of the Local Offer.
By Proxy - The Local Offer Officer works closely with the organisations in Wiltshire that support SEND communities, many have representatives on the Local Offer Steering Group or will happily pass on comments. The Wiltshire SEND team who support individuals will also pass on comments and suggestions if raised with a lead worker.
By Post: The postal address for the SEND department can be found by visiting Contacts.
All comments are held anonymously to inform service decisions and development. When action is taken that responds to community input, we publish it on our You said, we did page. Reflections from community input is held within the voice sections,Your voice 0 to 5, Your voice 5 to 11, Your voice 11 to 16 and Your voice 16+.
Comments from key organisations about the Local Offer development in 2023
Wiltshire Parent Carer Council
Wiltshire's Local Offer website has been co-produced in partnership with parent carers. The redesign which has been informed by ongoing parent/carer feedback has been received positively and is resulting in a site that is easier to navigate and provides information that is more accurate and up to date. One of the factors that has had a significantly positive impact is the commitment and dedication of the Local Offer Officer. The Local Offer Officer is a positive partner and goes out of his way to ensure that parent/carer feedback is constantly driving and informing improvements and developments to the website. We are particularly pleased to see that in response to parent/carer feedback, there is now a commitment to incorporating videos and animations into the website and we look forward to seeing information in this format continue to grow and develop in time. - S. H Director WPCC
Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living
As part of our work in the Co-Production SEND Team, at Wiltshire CIL, our objectives are to; Ensure Young People are leaders in their vision of Growing Up, to support young people with SEND to work with Wiltshire Services & Be involved in Co-Production and support Transitions.
Working alongside Wiltshire's LOO and strategically, (with the Steering Group), we have enabled a continuous model of co-production with young people, Including:
- The Pioneer View Podcast, with one of our Young Pioneers, is hosted on the LO
- Lived experience stories, that share a powerful message, are shared on the LO and on social media
- The formulation of the reference group, which is inclusive of young people and represents that co-production is embedded in the LO
We look forward to future work and co-production in 2024! - S. S-P, SEND Co-production Co-ordinator, Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
Carer Support Wiltshire
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the Local Offer Officer over the past year on the Local Offer. He has attended both our Parent/Carer and Young Adult/Carer support groups and talked to the carers about their caring roles and about making the Local Offer relevant to them, and their needs. I have also enjoyed being part of the steering group and working in partnership with other organisations. - J. H-C, Family and Parent Carer Worker, Carer Support Wiltshire
Summary of feedback we are still working on from November 2022 to November 2023
There remains some feedback from the last year we are still working to address that has not been added to our You said, we did page yet. These comments are listed below to acknowledge them, and they will continue to be part of our ongoing work. The actions relating to them will continue to be published throughout 2024:
- We need more information on what to do if services are delayed
- We are missing information on what schools have as SEND funding
- We are missing information on Occupational Therapy, and the differences of health and social care OTs, Perhaps a what is the role of an OT?'
- It would be good to see more presence on the LO from police. Also participation and understanding from them of dealing with SEND. This could involve better training for them to recognise SEND needs
- Clearer information about universal services that do not need EHCP
- Lack of SEND holiday provision to allow parents to work
- We would like an event which is not just signposting, where people can help you or about single topics
- Paying for transport/ parking to accessing free support can make accessing support difficult
- Assessment/ treatment times are too long and not enough info about timelines and what to do about delays
- Parents with children in their care on Special Guardianship Orders cannot access funding for therapy for the children from the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) because the children had not previously spent time in care
- We don't like the name short breaks and it is hard to find out if you are eligible
- Not clear how long you might be waiting for HCRG and GP support
- There are documents that are out of date on the Local Offer
For further feedback and responses please visit our You Said, We Did page at: You said, we did