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Local Offer Annual Report 2025

Local Offer Annual Summary of Feedback March-December 2025

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Local Offer Annual Summary of Feedback March-December 2025. Prepared by: Robyn Schofield, Local Offer Coordinator.

View Sutton's Local Offer Annual Report 2026 [External Link]

To our children and young people

The Sutton Local Offer is a place where children, young people, parents and carers can find clear information about support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from pregnancy up to age 25.

We work with schools, colleges, health services, social care, community groups and families to help make sure you:

  • Feel supported

  • Are listened to

  • Can reach your goals at school, college, training or work

  • Know where to get help when you need it

What Went Well This Year

  • Better information and support

  • The Local Offer website was updated so it’s easier to find services, activities and advice.

  • More schools and services updated their pages, helping families get the right information quickly.

  • We visited 62 schools and spoke to over 62 professionals to share information and improve support for children and young people.

Your voice matters

  • Young people helped shape how information is shared on the Local Offer.

  • Feedback from children, young people and families helped improve what’s on the website.

  • We worked closely with schools and services to remind them how important it is to involve young people in decisions about their support.

Stronger connections

  • More professionals now know about the Local Offer and how to use it.

  • Services worked together better across education, health and social care.

  • Families told us they felt more confident knowing where to go for help.

Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)

  • Over 250 children, young people and families attended the Preparing for Adulthood event.

  • 42 stallholders shared information about work, training, health, independence and community life.

  • It was the most‑attended PfA event to date and gave young people the chance to ask questions, try activities and plan for the future.

Staying connected online

  • The Local Offer Facebook group grew by 30%, meaning more families and young people saw posts, events and opportunities.

  • This helped more people feel connected, informed and supported.

What We’re Seeing

  • Children and young people are finding information more easily.

  • More young people are getting involved in planning for adulthood.

  • Schools and services are working harder to make sure support is clear and up to date.

  • Families are more aware of where to get help and who to talk to.

What We’re Working On Next

  • Making the Local Offer even easier for young people to understand and use

  • Sharing more opportunities for activities, events and support

  • Helping schools and services keep information current

  • Increasing ways for children and young people to share their views

  • Supporting young people to feel confident about independence, work and adulthood

A Message for You

  • You are at the centre of everything we do.

  • Your experiences, ideas and ambitions help shape how services work in Sutton. Whether you need help now or are planning for the future, the Local Offer is here to support you.

  • Your voice matters. Your future matters. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

SEND Local Offer

The Local Offer is a statutory requirement of every Local Authority. This means that every Local Authority must publish a Local Offer by law. The Local Offer should act as a central point for young people with SEND and their families. It aims to provide advice and information about local services for young people with SEND in one place. The SEND Code of Practice states that the Local Offer has two main purposes. These are:

  • To provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about services available.

  • To ensure local services involve and listen to young people with SEND and their families in the area. This includes when reviewing and developing their service.

You can find information on a wide range of topics on the Local Offer. These include social care, health, education and leisure services, among others. It outlines what these services are expected to offer young people under the age of 25 who have SEND. This includes young people who do not have an Education, Health and Care Plan. It also outlines how you can access these services. The Local Offer has been developed with parents, carers, young people and professionals. This input helps to keep information up to date and relevant to you and your needs.

Local Authorities must publish the feedback they receive on the Local Offer. They must show how this feedback is being used to develop what is offered in the local area.

Finding the SEND Local Offer

You can find the SEND Local Offer on the Sutton Information Hub. This hub brings together the services in the local areas in the 'service directory'. Within this directory you can find the services that fit your interests.

This could include support organisations or leisure activities among other things. You can also find a wide range of information on topics such as education and independence. Organisations can register and add their own services to the directory. They are encouraged to take ownership of this to ensure all information is up to date.

Data

Data reported from 1st April 2025- 31st December 2025 shows we had 3708 total views on the landing page on Sutton Information Hub.

This data reveals the specific pages that users are exploring on the Local Offer platform. By understanding these preferences, we can gain valuable insights into the community's needs and interests, enabling us to develop tailored resources and initiatives that truly resonate with them.

The most popular sections of the website provide valuable insights into what information users are seeking. This understanding has significantly shaped our approach to the website update, guiding us in designing a layout that prioritises the content that matters most to our audience.

The Local Offer will use this data to enhance and refine the website. By focusing on the areas of greatest interest, we will ensure that users find the information they seek more easily and efficiently. Additionally, this insight will help us identify sections that require more promotion, allowing us to reach a broader audience and better meet the needs of our community.

Feedback

You can give your feedback on the Local Offer in a range of ways, both online or in person. Some ways that this can be done include:

Once there is an update, feedback is displayed on the You Said, We did page. Feedback is also passed on to services or organisations if relevant, so that they can also take action. For more information please visit our You Said, We Did page.

  • “The Local Offer helps to support your children so they can thrive”

  • “The Local Offer provides valuable information and access to supportive staff who have been helping my child over the years. Their dedication and care are truly helpful.”

  • “The Local Offer provides information that is not that easy to find elsewhere.”

  • “The Local Offer is clear and well-structured”

The local offer must publish all feedback it receives. It must also publish the actions that have been taken as a result of feedback.

To view feedback received by Sutton's local offer, visit our You Said, We Did page.

Engagement with Parents

The Local Offer has made significant strides in engaging with our community on Facebook. This work has ensured parents are aware of resources, events and group available in the area. This increased interaction has heightened awareness among parents about the various resources, events, and groups available in our area. We continue to gather feedback from parents through coffee mornings, at the Preparation for Adulthood Hub and through our Facebook page. This feedback allows us to develop the Local Offer.

We have seen a significant boost in engagement thanks to several key initiatives. By increasing our social media posts and actively visiting schools, we’ve empowered SENCOs to effectively promote the Local Offer to parents. Additionally, incorporating the Local Offer into communications from the London Borough of Sutton and Cognus has broadened our reach. Leading the Preparing for Adulthood event and collaborating with services have further strengthened our connections within the local community, enhancing our overall engagement efforts.

We use Facebook as an effective platform to promote the Local Offer, providing parents and young people with an opportunity to ask questions related to our posts. This interactive approach facilitates quick access to information and encourages community engagement. Additionally, members of the group can tag others, helping to expand the reach of our posts and ensure that more people benefit from the resources we share.

The Local offer facebook group had 866 members in March 2025 and we now currently have 1127 members as of 5th December 2025. This is a 30% increase. Members are able to request to post content and the Local Offer Coordinator can also post. This allows posts to be varied and helps to raise awareness of different services and allows more people to share information.

We gathered feedback that some parents did not want to join a private page, so we have also kept our open Facebook page so parents can continue to ask any questions they may have.

Over the last few months, the Facebook group has promoted:

  • Stay and Play sessions

  • Youth Board Commissioners meetings

  • Autism surgeries

  • Festive Funday

  • SIASS drop-in sessions

  • Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Hub sessions (also shared on the Local Offer website)

These posts ensure families and professionals are aware of new opportunities and events in the local area.

Impact Areas:

  • Improved awareness of SEND services and events.

  • Increased parental engagement through multiple communication channels.

  • Enhanced feedback loop – members share what events they value most.

  • Support for transition to adulthood via PfA Hub promotion.

Reach:

1,127 Facebook group members receive notifications about events and updates.

Additional reach through:

  • Public Facebook page

  • Local Offer website

  • Email communications

This multi-channel approach ensures families, young people, and professionals stay informed and connected.

The Local Offer aims to integrate seamlessly into the community while fostering strong partnerships with parents. To kickstart this initiative, we've begun hosting coffee mornings in schools and are planning coffee mornings with other services to take place in the PfA Hub every Friday from January 2026.

We've received valuable feedback from parents, which has highlighted several key themes that we are diligently addressing. Parents wanted more videos and information and guidance surrounding SEND. In response, we have created the SEND Explainer Films page. This is a series of short, informative videos to provide support and guidance to parents and carers of children with SEND in Sutton.

Additionally, parents have expressed that the wealth of information on our website can be overwhelming. To enhance accessibility, we have developed engaging videos that are embedded on the site, allowing users to absorb information more easily.

Parents also wanted to know what to do whilst waiting for services - specifically for CYP with Autism. We contacted the health team who provided us with free resources to help with this. CAHMS Resources [External link] and YoungMinds [External link].

Engagement with Professionals and schools

This year, we focused on improving the accuracy and accessibility of the Local Offer. Recognising that service information can become outdated, we encouraged schools and services to take greater ownership of their pages. To support this, we ensured all featured schools and services have access to their pages and implemented a system of reminder notifications every six months, reinforcing the importance of keeping information current.

We also introduced updates to the Local Offer website to enhance navigation and make it more user-friendly for families and professionals. Collaboration has been a key priority, working closely with SIASS on planning coffee mornings throughout the year and attending SENCO Cluster and Cognus Leadership meetings. These engagements provided valuable opportunities to share expectations and strengthen partnerships, increasing awareness of the Local Offer within the community.

At the November Preparing for Adulthood event, we successfully engaged with a wide range of services, resulting in new registrations that will expand opportunities for young people. These efforts reflect our commitment to promoting inclusivity, improving resources, and working collaboratively to ensure families can access reliable, up-to-date information.

Throughout 2025 we visited all Primary and Secondary schools in the Sutton area. We engaged with SENCOs, DTs and Headteachers to gain valuable information on how to improve the Local Offer and how we can work together.

Engagement with young people

The PfA Hub is a dedicated space designed to support young people aged 15–25 with SEND as they transition into adulthood. Through tailored sessions and collaborative activities, we aim to build confidence, independence, and life skills.

Key Highlights from 2025

Regular Sessions Delivered

  • Life skills workshops (e.g., cooking, budgeting, travel training)

  • Social and wellbeing activities to promote inclusion

  • Employment and education guidance sessions

Collaborative Partnerships

  • Worked with local services, colleges, and employers to provide real-world opportunities.

  • Integrated support from SIASS and Cognus to ensure families are informed and involved.

Community Engagement

  • Sessions promoted via Local Offer website, Facebook group, and email updates, reaching over 1,127 families and professionals.

  • Young people actively participated in shaping the Hub’s activities through feedback and Youth Board input.

Impact

  • Increased Participation: More young people accessing sessions designed to prepare them for adulthood.

  • Skill Development: Practical workshops improved confidence in everyday tasks and decision-making.

  • Inclusive Environment: Created a safe, supportive space for young people to connect and learn.

The November Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Event brought together young people, families, and services to explore opportunities for education, employment, and independent living. The event aimed to empower young people with SEND by providing practical guidance and fostering connections with local providers.

The event strengthened engagement with young people by creating a platform for direct interaction with services. Young attendees gained insights into pathways for adulthood, while families accessed tailored advice and resources. Collaboration with local colleges, training providers, and employers ensured a diverse range of opportunities were showcased.

The November Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Event was our most attended PfA event to date, attracting over 250 attendees and featuring 42 stallholders. This milestone demonstrates the growing engagement and interest from young people, families, and professionals in exploring pathways to adulthood. The event provided practical guidance, showcased diverse opportunities for education, employment, and independent living, and strengthened partnerships across local services. Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of interactive sessions and the chance to connect directly with providers, reinforcing the importance of collaborative events in supporting successful transitions.

Raising Awareness of the Local Offer

We have been actively promoting the Local Offer by visiting various schools and services in the area to discuss its benefits and features. To further raise awareness about the Local Offer we will be based in the PfA Hub weekly to connect with parents, carers and young people. These initiatives aim to provide a better understanding of how to navigate and utilise the website effectively.

We have been internally promoting the Local Offer within Cognus to ensure other professionals are also signposting the Local Offer where needed. This has raised more awareness within Cognus. The Local Offer Coordinator has attended a variety of meetings in the local area to ensure the Local Offer has up to date and relevant information.

We created Local Offer flyers which have been sent to schools, displayed in local areas e.g. libraries and have been given out at events e.g. coffee mornings. The flyer enable families to access the website through a QR code and gives information on finding our Facebook page and email address. This flyer has also been created in Polish, Urdu and Tamil to increase diversity of awareness across the community.

The Local Offer Coordinator has been encouraging schools to signpost the Local Offer on their websites. This ensures parents are aware of it.