A guide to understanding SEND services

SEND means special educational needs and/or disabilities. It refers to children and young people (0 – 25) with a learning difficulty and/or disability who needs special health and education support.

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. You can ask your local authority – Stoke-on-Trent City Council – to carry out an assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan. A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 – 25. EHC needs assessment requests are handled by SENMAS (special educational needs monitoring and assessment service) at the council.

SEND Stoke-on-Trent – Local Offer

The Local Offer is a website run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council which lists everything available to SEND children and young people. The website includes details of support available in nurseries, schools, health and social care. It also includes lots of useful information about Educational Health and Care (EHC) plans and transport and travel assistance.

The Local Offer website offers people the opportunity to have their say, to read what others have said and how comments have been responded to. You can also contact the Local Offer team.

The website content can also be translated into a different languages by clicking on the language tab at the top of the page and selecting the web brower and device type.

‘Stoke Parent Carers – Champions for Change’

This is the Parent Carer Forum for Stoke-on-Trent. It is an independent group of parent carer representatives who work with local authorities, education, health and others to make sure that services meet the needs of children and families. The forum is facilitated by VAST.

If you are a parent carer who would like to become involved, fill in the form on the Get Involved page.

Groups represented in Stoke Parent Carers include:

PEGiS – a local group for Parents and Carers of SEND children and young people. Click the link to see their Facebook page!
Lifeworks North Staffordshire – a charity that supports people aged 14 and over who have Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome with their mental health and wellbeing.
SENDIASS – a free, confidential service paid for by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System. SEND trained staff provide information, advice and support to families living locally. SENDIASS will support with complex legal processes including Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP).

Stoke-on-Trent Community Directory – SEND Support

This page on the online Stoke-on-Trent Community Directory lists all of the organisations offering SEND support. The searchable directory contains details of a wide range of care providers, services, self-help groups, and community and voluntary organisations. You can narrow your search to a specific age group or to those offering face-to-face support.

SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First is a consultation document published with the white paper. The document asks 39 questions on key points of the proposed changes. It is an opportunity to influence some, but not all, of the potential reforms. People have until 18^th May 2026 to have their say!.