A service which provides information and support for Reading families with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has won a national award.

The Reading Family Information Service (FIS)/SEND Local Offer won the award for the Best SEND Local Offer at a ceremony last week.

The Local Offer, provided by Brighter Futures for Children, helps families find information about local services, support, activities and events for children and young people who have SEND.

The award was presented at the online National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS) Coram Family & Childcare conference on Tuesday (9 November). It recognises the remarkable commitment and dedication behind setting up a successful Local Offer which meets the needs of families, and provides information and support which is robust, timely and accessible.

Among other things, Reading SEND Local Offer was also recognised and congratulated for:

  • always using the three Cs in every aspect of the SEND Local Offer – communication, collaboration and coproduction
  • true partnership working with parent carers, young people and the wider community
  • offering more than just a directory/website and providing a full robust information, advice and guidance service to Reading families – going above and beyond
  • partnership work with Reading Families Forum

The conference also heard the 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. There is widespread awareness among families of where to go to find information and advice. 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 & Childcare Dr Carol Homden CBE.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the Reading SEND Local Offer for winning this well-deserved 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. I am delighted that Reading families have such a committed and dedicated team to support them.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

The SEND Local Offer can be contacted in the following ways: