Local Offer - Education and Learning

All settings must co-operate with the LA in the development and review of the Local Offer as set out in Chapter 4 of the SEND Code of Practice (January 2015) and the associated Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 (Part 4).

Schools have additional duties under the Regulations to provide more detailed information in their SEN Policy, SEN Information Report and how the school meets the duties of the Equality Act 2010. You can find quick links to school websites including their SEND information by looking on our schools web page 

In Doncaster, we use a common set of Needs Descriptors which means all schools are working within the same guidance when applying for additional funding.

Schools working in partnership with the local authority use the Needs Descriptors to decide what level of support and funding a child or young person requires. This ensures the decisions are made fairly and all learners can receive the correct level of support for their individual needs. All funding decisions will be made in the same way, regardless of whether children or young people have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or not.

• FIS Childcare Finder: Find childcare in Doncaster, including childminders, nurseries, breakfast and after school clubs and holiday play-schemes.
• Children with SEND: Information on the support available for children with SEND. 
• Doncaster SENDIAS: Free and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with SEND and their parents/carers.
• Find and check the performance of schools and colleges: Search for primary, secondary and special needs schools and colleges in England, and check their performance. You can view and download exam and test results, Ofsted reports and financial information.
• Ofsted Parent View: Tell Ofsted what you think of your child’s school, including how happy your child is at the school, how the school manages bullying or challenging behaviour and how well the school support your child's SEND. The questionnaire can be completed at any time - you don’t have to wait until the school is being inspected. 
• A parents guide to school inspections: The leaflet gives information on why, how long and when Ofsted inspects, and also how parents and carers can share their views. It applies to all maintained schools including special schools and pupil referral units, academies, city technology colleges, city colleges for the technology of the arts and some non-maintained special schools in England.
• Specialist Education Support Services: 
• Appeals and Disagreements: You may disagree with something to do with your child's special educational provision, most of the time this can be sorted out by talking with the either the early years setting, school, college or local authority. If the disagreement is not resolved then there are steps you can take to try and reach an agreement.

Local Documents

• City of Doncaster Accessibility Strategy for Schools 2023-2025
• Doncaster SEND Strategy 2022-2025
• Glossary of Terms

National Documents

• The Equality Act 2010 and schools
• The role of social care in implementing Children and Families Act 2014
• SEND Code of Practice
• SEN Local Offer Regulations - Clause 30
• SEND (Information) Regulations - Clause 65
• KIDS - Making it Personal
• Changes to SEN reforms guide for children and young people