What is the Local Offer?

Describing the Local Offer
Welcome to the East Sussex Local Offer.
The East Sussex Local Offer is this website and a directory, which provide information about what support is available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and for their families.
The East Sussex Local Offer consists of:
- this information site, that outlines how different SEND processes work
- a SEND-specific directory listing local and online services, which you can find on East Sussex 1Space
The Government asks that all local authorities (in our case, East Sussex County Council) provide information as clearly as possible so that parents, carers, children and young people can make informed decisions.
This information must:
- cover the whole range of services and support available
- explain how different processes work
- explain where children, young people, parents and carers can go for advice and guidance
Our Local Offer includes SEND services offered internally, from the Local Authority, and external services offered by local and online organisations.
We have created flyers explaining the East Sussex Local Offer that can be shared digitally, or printed and handed out:
- Download the East Sussex Local Offer flyer - Feb 2023 (interactive) PDF
- Download the East Sussex Local Offer flyer - Feb 2023 (printable) PDF

What the Law Says About the Local Offer
There are a number of laws that govern the Local Offer.
The laws were created to ensure that professionals fulfilled their duty to cooperate between services for the benefit of families and young people. This includes:
- The Children’s and Family Act 2014 which sets out that Local Authorities must have a Local Offer.
- SEND Code of Practice (CoP) 2014/15 (Chapter 4 details what information each local authority is expected to provide within its Local Offer.
- Equality Act 2010
- The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 (part 4)
As part of ensuring all sectors and services are co-operating and working together to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, the government has asked Ofsted to carry out local area SEND inspections.
Who Helps Develop Our Local Offer
The East Sussex Local Offer was created, and continues to be designed and developed through a process of consultation with:
- Parents and carers
- Children and young people with SEND
- East Sussex Parent Carer Forum (ESPCF)
- Amaze
- Adult Social Care and Health
- Colleagues and service leads throughout Education East Sussex
- School staff, including Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCo)
- Health professionals
The Local Offer Moving Forward
We will need feedback, thoughts and ideas from residents of East Sussex to help continue improving the East Sussex Local Offer.
Whether you are very experienced in the area of SEND or if you are new to the topic, we really want to hear back from everyone. You can find out how you can share your thoughts with us on our page, Getting the East Sussex Local Offer Right.
Surrounding Counties Local Offer
East Sussex shares borders with Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey:
- Visit the Brighton & Hove Local Offer
- Visit the West Sussex Local Offer
- Visit the Kent Local Offer
- Visit the Surrey Local Offer
Additional Help and Support
Amaze SENDIASS
Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity who offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS:
- Phone: 01273 772 289
- Email: sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk
East Sussex Local Offer directory of services
You can visit our SEND-specific online directory, hosted on East Sussex 1Space, that lists many different services both throughout the county and online. Services include advice, guidance and support groups, activities and events and mental health and wellbeing support among many other topics:
NHS - Health A to Z
While the East Sussex Local Offer aims to provide as much information as possible, there may be some conditions that aren't covered in thorough detail. The NHS website has pages that list all conditions, with information and advice on how to get extra support:
Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms
Some of the terms used on this website are explained on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.