Local Offer
Also called SEN and disability local offer. That is the name used in diagnostic manuals and on most official paperwork.
A list, published by every council in England, of the support available locally for children with special educational needs or a disability. It is free to look at and you do not need a referral.
Applies in England
The Local Offer is a legal duty, not a favour. The Children and Families Act 2014 says: "A local authority in England must publish information about the provision it expects to be available in its area for children and young people who have special educational needs SEND SEND is England's word for children who need extra help to learn. The rest of the UK uses other words, and other rules. Read the full definition of SEND or a disability."
It covers education, health and care provision, training, travel to school, and support for young people preparing for adult life. Councils also have to publish the comments they get about it and what they did in response, which is worth knowing if you find yours thin or out of date.
The usual way to find it is to search your council's name plus "Local Offer".
This is an England-only term. The other UK nations publish local SEN or ALN Additional learning needs The term used in Wales when a child needs extra support to learn. It replaced the term special educational needs for children and young people in Wales. Read the full definition of Additional learning needs information, but they do not have a duty called the Local Offer, so searching for one elsewhere is likely to be a dead end.
Across the UK
- Local authority ALN information and the Family Information Service : Welsh Government guidance for parents points to the local authority's own ALN information and the Family Information Service rather than to a statutory Local Offer.
- No direct equivalent : Scotland has no duty named Local Offer. Enquire is the national advice and information service on additional support for learning, and local authorities publish their own information.
- No direct equivalent : Northern Ireland has no Local Offer duty. Information sits with the Education Authority.
Related words
Where this comes from
- Children and Families Act 2014, section 30: Local offer for children and young people with special educational needs , legislation.gov.uk. Checked 2026-08-09.
- Children and Families Act 2014, section 32: Advice and information , legislation.gov.uk. Checked 2026-08-09.
- A guide for parents about rights under the additional learning needs (ALN) system , Welsh Government (GOV.WALES). Checked 2026-08-09.
- Additional support for learning , Scottish Government (gov.scot). Checked 2026-08-09.
- Special educational needs: assessments , nidirect (Northern Ireland Government). Checked 2026-08-09.
Your child doesn't need a diagnosis to get support
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