Almost 95% of people who contacted the statutory information service for Reading families who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) found it helpful or very helpful, new figures reveal. 

The annual survey of Reading’s SEND Local Offer saw an increase in the percentage of people who gave the service a thumbs up to an all-time high, beating last year’s 93% satisfaction rate. 

There was also a rise in the percentage of people who found everything they were looking for on the Local Offer, from 97% last year to more than 98.5% this year. 

Respondents particularly liked the look and feel of the Local Offer website; the comprehensive information available; the search list filter options; and the advice and guidance pages. 

Almost 80% of people currently registered for updates also take advantage of the weekly email sent out on activities, events and services. 

And one lucky Reading mum who responded to the survey won a £50 Amazon voucher for completing it, which she collected with her two children (pictured).

 

The Reading SEND Local Offer won the Best SEND Local Offer at the National Association of Family Information Services Coram Family & Childcare Conference in both 2023 and 2021, as well as the Best Community Engagement award in 2022 and Best Promotion of 2-Year-Old Funding in 2023. 

Delivery of the service in Reading is the responsibility of Brighter Futures for Children and a dedicated team works on both the Reading SEND Local Offer and the Family Information Service on its behalf. 

The Reading SEND Local Offer website is hosted on the Reading Services Guide, alongside the Family Information Service and the Adults and Carers Support Service, which is managed by Reading Borough Council. 

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are incredibly happy with the number of people who took the time to respond to the annual survey and are delighted that so many families found the service to be helpful. 

“Even though it might appear from the impressive figures that there isn’t much room for growth, we are always listening to suggestions and looking for ways to improve so that we can offer the very best advice and information for Reading families of children with SEND living in Reading.” 

Visit the Reading SEND Local Offer.  

Notes to editors 

To sign up to receive regular SEND Local Offer updates, please email localoffer@reading.gov.uk.