A SERVICE which supports children in Reading with special educational needs has won a national award.
The SEND Local Offer, provided by Brighter Futures for Children, helps families find information about services, support and events for SEND children and young people.
It won the Best SEND Local Offer award at a ceremony earlier this month, which was presented at the online National Association of Family Information Services Coram Family and Childcare conference.
The award recognises the commitment and dedication behind setting up a successful Local Offer, which meets the needs of families in an accessible way.
Reading SEND Local Offer was also recognised for always using the three Cs: communication, collaboration and co-production, as well as its partnership working with parent carers, young people and the wider community.
And it’s also been congratulated for its partnership work with Reading Families Forum and going above and beyond for its services.
The conference heard positive comments made in the recent Ofsted/CQC Local Area SEND inspection, which said: “Parents of children and young people with SEND have access to good information and advice from the family information service and the local offer.
“The local offer is responsive to families’ needs, following up all initial contacts to ensure that the identified needs have been met.”
The award was presented by the chief executive officer of Coram Family and Childcare, Dr Carol Homden CBE.
Di Smith, board chair of Brighter Futures for Children, congratulated everyone in the Reading SEND Local Offer team for winning the award.
“Navigating your way around the different services and organisations which provide support for children and young people with additional needs can be difficult for parents,” she said.
“I am delighted that Reading families have such a committed and dedicated team to support them.”
