Definition
The Local Offer is the statutory information service every English local authority must publish, setting out the SEND services, support, and provision available in their area for children and young people aged 0–25. The duty sits at section 30 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND (Local Offer) Regulations 2014.
In context for parents
Key checkpoints
- Statutory information service every English LA must publish, set out at Children and Families Act 2014, section 30 and the SEND (Local Offer) Regulations 2014.
- Minimum content set out at Schedule 2 of the SEND (Local Offer) Regulations 2014 and Code of Practice chapter 4.
- Must cover special educational, health and care provision; childcare; leisure; transport; mediation; SENDIASS contact.
- Parents have a statutory right under section 30(8) to be consulted on its development and review.
- Quality varies widely; CDC's annual Local Offer review is the most reliable benchmark.
Section 30 requires every LA to publish a Local Offer in one place that is accessible and kept up to date. The minimum content is set out in Schedule 2 of the SEND (Local Offer) Regulations 2014 and SEND Code of Practice chapter 4, including special educational, health and care provision; childcare; leisure; transport; arrangements for assessment and EHCPs; mediation; and Independent Advice and Support (SENDIASS) contact details.
In practice, Local Offers vary widely in quality. The strongest ones (Lambeth, Hertfordshire, Brighton & Hove are often cited) are searchable, plain-language, and updated regularly. The weakest are PDF-heavy, outdated, and structured around the LA's internal departments rather than the parent's question. The Council for Disabled Children's annual Local Offer review is the most reliable benchmarking source.
What parents actually use the Local Offer for: finding out which short breaks providers operate locally; which therapy services accept self-referral; which SEND parent groups meet near them; what the LA's EHCP process actually looks like (the published flowchart is sometimes the only place the LA's internal timeline is set out); and how to contact SENDIASS.
The Local Offer is not the LA's commitment to provide everything listed. It is an information directory. A service appearing on the Local Offer does not entitle a family to access it without the usual referral and threshold criteria.
Parents have a statutory right under section 30(8) to be consulted on the Local Offer's development and review. LAs must publish comments and their responses.
Related terms
The terms parents most often see alongside Local Offer.
Local Authority(LA)
The council responsible for arranging and funding the special educational provision in a child's EHCP. The LA is the legal duty-holder, not the school.
SEND Code of Practice
The 0-25 statutory guidance setting out what schools, colleges, and local authorities in England must do to support children with SEND under the Children and Families Act 2014.
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service(SENDIASS)
A free, impartial, and confidential service every local authority must provide to give parents and young people information, advice, and support about SEND.
Where parents ask about this
Parents usually find this page early in the SEND journey (newly diagnosed child, first contact with the LA, looking for a short breaks provider or a parent group) or when an LA's Local Offer is missing information they need. Searches include "Local Offer SEND meaning", "my LA's Local Offer is out of date", and "how to complain about Local Offer". A Beaakon advocate can navigate the local SEND landscape with you, identify what is missing from the Local Offer compared with statutory requirements, and submit a formal complaint or section 30(8) representation if needed.
References
The primary legislation, statutory guidance, research, and clinical tools this page draws on.