The new Glosfamilies Directory and ‘Support for families with special educational needs SEND’ (Gloucestershire’s Local Offer) will help young people and families find information and support.
Families and young people can find support and services and things to do in their local area using the new digital tools and webpages.
Glosfamilies Directory and ‘Support for Families with SEND’ (The Local Offer) is a one stop shop for everything families need to know about childcare, education, activities, and support in their area.
Created in partnership with parents, young people, Gloucestershire County Council and the NHS, the website has been updated and relaunched as an interactive online hub to help people find what they need in an accessible way. This includes a helpful activity checker so families can find things to do today, tomorrow and this week, or see all the activities happening in their area. They can filter by time of day, day of the week and location to find groups, clubs, and days out for their child. Inclusive activities are highlighted with a Local Offer flag to make them easier to see.
The County Council and NHS worked in partnership with the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum to relaunch the site and make sure information and resources are more accessible to young people and families with SEND. The site now also includes videos and podcasts.
Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum is an independent voice for families living with SEND. A ‘Parent Carer Approved’ logo is displayed throughout the site, so families can have confidence the information is supported by parent carers who have experience with SEND in Gloucestershire.
Families can use search tools to find registered childcare providers in their area, information on support services such as post-natal groups, free resources like relationship support and parenting workshops, along with things to do with the family across the county.
Young People with SEND have developed, designed, and provided content for part of the directory named ‘Future Me’. This is made by young people, for young people, and covers everything from education and training, managing money, and preparing for adulthood.
Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member for education, skills, and bus transport, said: “The Glosfamilies Directory and our ‘Support for Families with SEND’ (Gloucestershire’s Local Offer) is a ‘one stop shop’ for families, young people, and professionals working with children. It is a fantastic resource, and we encourage people to take a look and feedback through the website with any suggestions, as we continually work to improve the resources available to families in the county.”
Benedict Leigh, Director of Integrated Commissioning for NHS Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire County Council said: “The GlosFamilies Directory and the ‘Support for Families with SEND’ webpages are a great example of how the NHS, Gloucestershire County Council, parents, young people and partner organisations are working together to improve services for families living in the county.
“Providing information on everything from parent groups to free activities for families is helpful for anyone working with or bringing up children in Gloucestershire and our sites have this information all in one place. The ‘Parent Carer Approved’ logo is a fantastic way of giving parents the confidence that recommendations and resources are tried and tested by SEND parents.”
Visit the Glosfamilies Directory at www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk and see the ‘Support for families with SEND (Gloucestershire’s Local offer)’.
Issued by Gloucestershire County Council