Local Offer

[theDudesmummy]

I went to a so-called consultation process yesterday by our LEA regarding the "Local Offer" under the new legislation. It was basically about whether we liked the new design of their website, and nothing at all about what the Local Offer was going to actually contain (they also refused to discuss anything about budgets). Anyone else been to any of these consultations?

I was invited and declined on basis was about format not content. I went to a very early meeting but didn't feel much made it in to draft until the govt said it had to. There is still loads missing from it and it's hard to navigate. I was going to make comments but I lost the will to live just trying navigate one part (just directed me to various council web pages) I decided it would be better to spend my time writing my own version. It's only going to be about autism services and one part of the county but I'm going to try and do an ebook to download from a support group website etc and hopefully shame the council into writing a better one. I figure comments will be ignored but an alternative with all the stuff they left out is likely to have more impact. Am taking the direct action route

All of my areas "consultations" have beenheld during the day, when working parents cant attend and there is no advertising so even if you could book time off you wouldnt know when to book it for.

My LA are really crap not very good at wanting to hear parents views!!

I agree that everything was about format and not content. They did not even answer my questions when I put questions to them in the meeting about potential content of the Local Offer. (or who would decide what was in it). It seems to be (from their stated perspective, not their real one I am sure) just about making sure the information on their website is easily navigable and accessible. All well and good but how is that the point of a consultation about the Local Offer (it isn't of course, it's just a tick box exercise so they can tell the Dept of Education that they have "consulted" parents).

From what they said, it would seem that the changes are simply all about them having better lists of local resources easily available to parents. I am pretty sure that is not the main impact of the changes to legislation in the long run....but they were not saying anything about that!