Relaunch of Stockton's Local Offer will provide 'vital support' to families

Northfield School and Sports College hosted an event highlighting the improvements made to Stockton's Local Offer.

The Local Offer now provides a wealth of detailed information and services available to children and young people (aged 0 to 25) with special educational needs or disabilities and their families.

Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Eileen Johnson, opened proceedings at Northfield School and Sports College.

The school choir sang two songs around the theme of being true to who you are and never giving up, and students performed an extract of the play The Thankful Soldier.

"The Local Offer is now a hub of information promoting local, regional and national services for those with special educational needs or disabilities," said Councillor Johnson.

"I was delighted to be part of the relaunch. The students captivated the audience and gave a very emotional performance that moved everyone there."

Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, closed the event.

She said: "Following feedback from parents, carers, children and young people it is great to see the search facility easier to access and more appealing to our audience. 

"It is organic and as such will continue to grow to allow families get the vital support they need. I encourage everyone to visit the Local Offer website and see what help they can receive."

As part of its development the website has a new accessibility function called Recite Me, labelled as Listen and Translate. It can translate text into over 40 languages, change font and text size.

Pictures on the main homepage showcase the work of local primary and secondary children with SEND, and new links at the bottom of the homepage highlight the most recent local, regional and national SEND news and events.

To find out more visit Children, families and young people