A new website has officially launched which aims to make the lives of Rotherham’s children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families a lot easier.
Nationally, important changes are happening to the way children and young people with additional needs are supported and one result of these changes is a new local website designed to make information and support as easy as possible to find.
The Rotherham SEND Local Offer website aims to provide families with the information they may need, or want to know, about resources, services, support, activities and events for Rotherham’s children with additional needs.
It will make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving disabled children, those with special educational needs and their parents.
The Council, Rotherham Health community and the Rotherham Parents Forum have come together to help create the site, which aims to give clear and precise information about topics ranging from education to heath, things to do and a comprehensive list of local groups who can help families in their day-to-day lives.
Some of the information is arranged according to age from pre-school through to early adulthood. Alongside, there are specific information sections to give more general information on procedures, technical language and feedback.
Jayne Fitzgerald from the Rotherham Parent Forum said: "This Local Offer site is where families in Rotherham can get the information and support that, in the past, we struggled to find.
"It’s a new place where families and practitioners can contribute to, and access, what is out there, to get the best outcomes for our amazing children and young people.
"Please use the feedback buttons on the site to make it as rich as possible.
“Together We can make a difference”
Jackie Parkin, the Children’s Disabilities Communication Strategy Co-ordinator, added: “Having all the information in one place will enable children, young people and their families to make informed choices about the types of short breaks services that will best meet their needs.”