Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). We provide advice and information and can carry out specialist assessments and give ongoing support where necessary.
The local offer
All Local Authorities must publish information about services available for children and young people with SEND, both in and out of the borough, from birth to 25. This is known as the ‘Local Offer’.
Brighter Future for Children delivers the Local Offer on Reading Borough Council’s behalf.
The Local Offer is available here and aims to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and services available, and to make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
To go directly to specific pages of the Local Offer, click on one of the tabs below:
Are you a carer?
If you look after a child or young person with special educational needs and/or disabilities or a child with a long term illness you are a carer, even if you don’t think of yourself that way. There are many ways that you might care for someone.
For instance you might:
- Have to provide care 24 hours a day
- arrange and take to hospital appointments
- Provide personal care
Whether you’ve cared for the child/young person for a long time, or have just become a carer, take time to review your options and find out what support is available to you.
Knowing your rights and getting support is vital and there are many local and national organisations that can help.
For a full list of help available, visit the Careers Advice and Support page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Early Years and Childcare page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
Or use these quick links to find details on specific pages on the Reading Services Guide:
Childcare settings supporting SEND
A child or young person who has a special educational need or disability (SEND) may need some extra help to get the best out of their education and learning.
A child or young person with SEND can usually be supported from the resources which early year’s settings, schools and colleges have available to them (SEN Support).
However some children or young people with very severe and long term needs may require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) issued by Brighter Futures for Children (previously known as a Statement of Special Educational Needs).
For a full list of help available, visit the Education, Schools & Services page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Health and Social Care page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Policies, Pathways and Documents page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Sensory Impairment page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Short Breaks page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Special Needs Activities page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Special Needs Support page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Special United page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Transition 16-25 page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For information about help available, visit the transport page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Disabled Children and Young People's register page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
For a full list of help available, visit the Local Offer Consultations & Feedback page within the SEND Local Offer pages on Reading's Services Guide. These pages are updated regularly by the Family Information Service, on Brighter Futures for Children's behalf.
We partner with Chartwells for school meals - they have information on menus and paying. All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to free school meals (FSM) - you might be eligible to apply for free school meals after this time if you are on income support.
To contact us, email localoffer@reading.gov.uk or call us on 0118 937 3777 (option 2).
The Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Team
The Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Team supports children and young people aged 0–25 who have special educational needs that require the support of an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plan. The Team co-ordinates statutory Needs Assessments and works closely with families, schools and practitioners from across education, health and social care, to help put support in place through EHC Plans. If you would like to contact the SEND Team, please call us on 0118 937 2674 or email us at sen@BrighterFuturesforChildren.org The Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Team Local Offer can be found here.
The majority of pupils with special educational needs are supported by their school, without the need of an EHC Plan. In a small number of cases, however, where the needs might be more severe, complex and persistent, an EHC Plan may be required to provide further support. If you have concerns, in the first instance please talk to the SEND Co-ordinator (SENDCo) at your/your child’s school or educational setting for further information. You may also find it helpful to contact the Information, Advice & Support Service for SEND (SENDIASS) for impartial advice and support, on 0118 937 3421 or at iass@BrighterFuturesforChildren.org. The SENDIASS Local Offer page can be found here.
A request for Statutory Needs Assessment is usually made by the school or educational setting, but parents and young people also have a right to ask the Local Authority to consider starting an assessment. The Authority uses criteria when considering a request, alongside the guidance detailed in the SEND Code of Practice.
We also work alongside the Children & Young People’s Disability Team (CYPDT), which is a team of Social Workers and Occupational Therapists who support children and young people with disabilities, and their families. More information on the CYPDT, including eligibility, can be found here. For new referrals, please contact the Children’s Single Point of Access on 0118 937 3641 (aged under 18) or through the Contact Centre on 0118 937 3747 (aged 18-25).
Click here for information on services supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.