Local Offer
As part of the Children and Families Bill, schools and colleges are required to publish information about services they provide for young people with disabilities and Special Educational Needs. This is called the ‘local offer’.
The local offer has two key purposes:
- To provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available
- To make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving young people with SEN, parents and carers, and service providers in its development and review
The indicative Code of Practice states that the local offer should be:
- Engaging – involving parents and young people
- Accessible – easy to understand, factual and jargon-free
- Transparent and comprehensive – defining where to go for information, advice and support
The Local Offer
How does college identify the particular special educational needs of a young person?
College will be involved in transition planning between school and college so that we can prepare to meet the student’s needs and ensure a successful transition into college life. Where SEN has been identified at school, college will use this information and seek clarification and further advice when needed from the school (or other agencies where relevant) to ensure we are ready to meet the needs of the student.
The Learning Support Manager will visit the schools to gather information on each young person before organising tailored meetings and events to aid the transition to college. Parents will also be included in these events, if appropriate.
College gives all applicants an opportunity, before or at entry and subsequent points, to declare whether they have a learning need, a disability or a medical condition which will affect their learning. If a student makes a declaration, college will discuss with the student how they will provide support. Any screenings and assessments should be differentiated and proportionate to the likely level of SEN.
How does college consult/work in partnership with parents of young people with special educational needs and with young people with special educational needs?
College will work in partnership with parents of young people with special educational needs. Students and parents are invited to special meetings with the Learning Support Manager, as well as having a mainstream consultation. These meetings are sometimes attended by Barbara Beresford, Assessment and Review Officer, Children & Young People’s Services, North Yorkshire County Council.
How does college secure the services, provision and equipment required by children and young people with special educational needs?
College will secure the services, provision and specialist equipment required by each young person with special educational needs.
How does college support young people with special educational needs in moving between phases of education, and in preparing for adulthood?
College will support young people with special education needs in moving between phases of education, and in preparing for adulthood. College will support young people to participate in discussions about their aspirations, their needs, and the support that they think will help them best as part of the College’s Tutorial Programme. Support will be aimed at promoting student independence and enabling the young person to make good progress towards employment and/or higher education, independent living, good health and participating in the community.
What is college’s approach to teaching/ learning and development of young people with special educational needs?
Teaching staff will work with specialist support to identify where a student may be having difficulty which may be because of SEN.
A clear understanding of a young person’s needs is a critical pre-condition to planning effective strategies, creating appropriate provision and influencing the adjustments to teaching will lead to good progress and improved outcomes.
It is every teacher’s responsibility to adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils. Teachers provide high-quality teaching, differentiated for individual students.
College’s Learning Support Manager will support the subject teacher in the kind of adjustments to teaching, support and use of resources that would be most effective.
Teachers work closely with Learning Support Assistants to plan and assess the impact of targeted interventions.
How does college adapt the curriculum/provision and additional learning support available to young people with special educational needs?
Once the specific areas of need and gaps in learning and development have been identified, additional or different provision targeted at these key areas will be planned.
There are clear and expected outcomes linked directly to the provision which is personalised and individualised.
Any additional training for teaching and support staff is arranged.
What support is available to young people with special educational needs and how is this promoted?
As appropriate, students and applicants are given copies of the ‘Helping You to Learn’ booklet, which clearly explains additional support available. In addition, college offers visits for students and parents, including tours of the college and meetings with relevant staff to aid a smooth transition.
How is the progress towards any of the outcomes identified for young people with special educational needs assessed and reviewed?
The Learning Support Manager monitors the student’s progress with all relevant staff, parents and pupils.
Students with an Education Health and Care Plan will have regular reviews.
How is the effectiveness of special educational provision assessed and evaluated?
The effectiveness of special educational provision will be assessed and evaluated on a termly basis. In addition, young people with an Education Health and Care Plan will be given a review, and this will also involve parents and other professional services.
How can facilities that are available be accessed by young people with special educational needs?
College will ensure that any facilities that are available can also be accessed by young people with special educational needs.
What activities are available for young people with special educational needs in addition to the curriculum?
College has a range of extra-curricular activities for which young people with special educational needs can participate in.
How is expertise in supporting young people with special educational needs secured for teaching staff and others working with those young people?
Information gathered from outside agencies and professional services is shared with teachers, including the delivery of specialist training, as required.
Teachers and support staff will be given training and advice when dealing with young people who require specialist equipment and support.
How is the emotional and social development of young people with special educational needs supported and improved?
College employs Learning Mentors and support staff to support and improve the emotional and social development of young people with special educational needs.