Leeds Local Offer you said our response feedback.
About the Leeds Local Offer
The Leeds Local Offer gives information in one place for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents or carers.
It shows families what they can expect from local services, including education, health and social care.
Why does the Local Offer exist?
The SEND Code of Practice says every Local Offer must:
Listening to feedback
The Leeds Local Offer acts on all feedback from children, young people, parents, carers and professionals.
Below is a list of feedback received and the changes made as a result.
Want More Information?
If you would like details about Leeds Local Offer website developments, they can email LLO@leeds.gov.uk.
Each year, Leeds City Council responds to all feedback and comments about the Leeds Local Offer. The report explains what actions have been taken based on what families said.
What the report includes
The annual report shares:
Contact
For more information email LLO@leeds.gov.uk
Annual reports
2025 – Leeds SEND Youth Council review
In August 2025, the Leeds SEND Youth Council reviewed the Leeds Local Offer website. They also looked at information about the SEND Youth Council. Read the full report here.
2024 – A New Leeds Local Offer website
A new Leeds Local Offer website was created after listening to feedback from children, young people, parents, carers and professionals over the last four years.
Members of the Leeds SEND Youth Council and Leeds Parent Carer Forum helped test the new website. Download the user testing report here.
The new website will be reviewed regularly by the Leeds Parent Carer Forum and the Leeds SEND Youth Council.
2023 – Leeds SEND Youth Forum review
On 13 February 2023, the Leeds SEND Youth Forum joined an online session to review the young people’s section of the website.
All feedback and suggestions have been acted on.
2022 – Developing the young people’s section
In November 2021, young people from The Powerhouse (West SILC Post-16) shared their experience of using the website.
From January to April 2022, students worked with the Local Offer team to redesign the young people’s section. They tested the new section before it was finished on 25 April 2022.
2021 – Health section review
The Leeds Local Offer website shares information about services for children and young people with SEND and their families.
It includes education, careers, transport, activities, health services and more.
The health section was confusing and out of date. From November 2021 to January 2022, young people, parents and carers shared what health information they wanted to see. This helped redesign the health section.
2020 – Review and Redesign
Young people, families and professionals gave feedback to help redesign the Leeds Local Offer website. The consultation took place from September to October 2020, and the new website launched in early 2021.
| You said | Our response |
| Young people are more likely to look at instagram and TikTok rather than a website (SEND Youth Council). | Leeds Local Offer team have scheduled time in October / November 2025 to explore how to promote and share information about SEND services to young people. |
| Use social media to promote information on the website (SEND Youth Council). |
There is a Leeds Local Offer facebook group, where information about SEND services and the LLO website is shared daily. The team are exploring the introduction of a WhatsApp Channel for the Leeds Local Offer. |
| PfA written as if it is talking to the parent, should it be written as if talking to the young person? (SEND Youth Council) |
The Leeds Local Offer Team have committed to review the readability and accessibility of all pages on the website, including the user pronouns. The Leeds Local Offer Team and SENDIASS will be working with young people on a project to develop Preparing for Adulthood information for young people, this will also include the user pronouns that are used. |
| A lot of the text, this looks more when viewing the website from a phone (SEND Youth Council). | The Leeds Local Offer Team have committed to review the readability and accessibility of all pages on the website, including the amount of text that appears on each page and how it looks on a mobile phone. |
| Lots of links to leeds.gov website, the website isn’t great so could you put the information directly on the LLO in simpler easy read format? (SEND Youth Council) |
The Leeds Local Offer Team will feedback to leeds.gov.uk about the accessibility of the information on the website. As part of the review of readability and accessibility we will review how we can simplify information directly on the Leeds Local Offer website. |
| Videos on each page explaining the service (SEND Youth Council). | The Leeds Local Offer team will identify the most visited pages, and ask services to provide a short video explaining their service. |
| Could there be an audio option on the LLO (SEND Youth Council). | Unfortunately, we do not have access to this facility on the Leeds Local Offer website. However, we will be looking at introducing service videos to pages which will include audio. |
| Have accessibility features e.g. changing text size and background colour (SEND Youth Council). |
We strive to make this website and its content as accessible as possible. We use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Users to the website can use settings on their device to change the background and font sizes. |
| Improve the search function so more specific results come up (SEND Youth Council). | To improve the search function on the website this would require further web developments, unfortunately these are not available at the moment but will be considered in the future. |
| On the phone some of the text was a bit small (SEND Youth Council). |
Users to the website can use settings on their device to change the font size. As part of the readability and accessibility review we will be focusing on how the information appears to those accessing the website via mobile devices. |
| Information about ARFID support to be added to the LLO website. | We have developed ARFID support information to the LLO website under Health and Social Care - Health Services - Need help with. |
| Information about financial support (DLA, PIP etc) to be added to the LLO information booklet. | The LLO information booklet was refreshed in July / August 2025 and financial support has been added to the booklet. |
| Tourette's information and support for families | We have added information about Tourette's support to the website under the advice and support section (organisations offering support and parent carer support groups). |
| Monthly information drop in sessions to be hosted around the city rather than in the same place each month. | From October 2025; we will rotate the location of the monthly drop in sessions across the city. |
| Not enough information about Kinship and Foster Carer support. | We have added information for Kinship and Foster Carers under our carers section within Social Care. Kinship and Foster carers can also access the parent carer support groups. |
| You Said | Our response |
|---|---|
| Information about preparing for adulthood transitions support is unclear | We have updated the preparing for adulthood transitions information on the website. A gap has been identified in support for students without an EHCP, this is being raised via the Voice and Influence Transparency Working Group. |
| Direct payment policy and information to be updated. | We have updated the information about personal budgets and direct payments on the website, including a link to the TriX website which has detailed information about the policies and procedures. |
| I just wanted to say that I think the new site is really well laid out and easy to navigate and it’s great to be able to easily access information about all of the options for secondary schools really easily. |
N/A |
| It would be useful if the Alternative provision section included a link to some of the different APs and AIPs within Leeds so parents know their options. |
A list of alternative provisions and area inclusion partnerships is now available on the website. https://www.leedslocaloffer.org.uk/education/specialist-send-places-and-settings/aps-and-aips |
| A website that is easier to use and navigate with clear and concise information. | In April 2024 a new Leeds Local Offer website was launched. Development of the new website took into account all the feedback received over the last 4 years from young people, parents, carers and professionals. Members of the Leeds SEND Youth Council and Leeds Parent Carer Forum took part in the user testing of the new website, click here to download the user testing report. |
| Clear information about Early Help | The new website includes a section on Early Help, which also includes a video to explain what Early Help is. |
| Information about personal budgets. | Information about personal budgets and direct payments has been added to the new website. |
| Accessibility of the website. | The accessibility has been improved on the new website, including the option to change the language. |
| More information about specific support for learning establishments. | The SEND and Inclusion practice framework has been added to the new website. This section provides information, advice and guidance for education establishments in Leeds. |
| Have the option to filter results by disability. | A disability filter has been added to the filter options on the new website. |
| Date | You said | Our response |
|---|---|---|
| May 2023 |
Accessibility of the website
|
The website is hosted externally, and is a directory-based website. Over the last three years we have worked with the website providers to address the accessibility and functional functions of the website. However, due to the website being a directory-based website the functions are limited. The team responsible for the Leeds Local Offer website are exploring options for a new website. |
| May 2023 |
Promoting the Leeds Local Offer
|
The team responsible for the Leeds Local Offer will continue to promote the website. The promotion of the Leeds Local Offer and the offer to visit support groups will added as a regular article in the bi-monthly Leeds Local Offer ebulletin. A Leeds Local Offer twitter account will be explored as part of the forward plan for developments. |
| May 2023 |
Services and information for 16 plus and young adults
|
The Preparing for Adulthood section on the Leeds Local Offer has been reviewed. All comments and feedback were included within the review. |
| May 2023 |
Would like to see more information and guidance around assessment of additional needs e.g. how schools are involved, GPS, right to choose
|
A Leeds Local Offer information booklet has been developed with families and services, the booklet is an introduction to SEND and the support available within Leeds. |
| May 2023 | More information about specific support for learning (colleges) | Will be added to the forward plan as an area of development to the Leeds Local Offer website. |
| May 2023 | Professionals offer for progression – make professionals aware of offers available. | The Leeds Local Offer ebulletin has a professional’s information, training and support section. There is also an information, training, and support section for professionals on the Leeds Local Offer website. |
| May 2023 | There isn’t any clear information about Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) on the LLO website. | Information about EOTAS has been added to the LLO website, and is also being included in the LLO booklet that is being produced. |
| March 2023 |
The Leeds Local Offer website was reviewed by Rotherham Parent Carer Forum as part of the annual peer review. Comments and suggestions for improvements:
|
An ‘introduction to the Leeds Local Offer’ tile has been developed on the front page of the website. The introduction includes how to use the LLO guides, introductory videos, information about how to access information without internet and the Leeds Local Offer information booklet will be added to this section once signed off. Information about continence services provided by health has been updated. The EHCP information on the website has been reviewed and updated by the SENSAP team. The assessment information and timescales has been added alongside the timescales diagram. Links to the SEN policies for all colleges and universities have been added to the individual entries. The apprenticeships, supported internships and employment and carers information has been reviewed and re-written by Leeds City Council’s Employment and Skills Team. We have updated information about the Local Authority (LA) expects from educational settings. Information has been added to ‘have your say’ to share how young people, parents and carers can have a voice and influence in SEND services. |
| March 2023 | a ‘cost of living support’ button/page on the LLO would be valuable to families. |
Information about cost of living was available on the LLO, however it might not have been obvious to families where to find this. A ‘cost of living – support for families’ section has been created within the information for parents and carers on the website. Colleagues have been asked to share information about services available to support families so these can be added to the website. |
| February 2023 | The Leeds SEND Youth Forum attended an online session on the 13th February 2023 to review the young people’s section on the Leeds Local Offer website. Members of the SEND Youth Forum gave feedback and suggestions. | All feedback received was responded to. |
| January 2023 |
The Parent Champions reviewed the Early Years information on the website. They provided recommendations for improvements to the information. |
The following amendments have been made to the website:
Unfortunately translating the language on the website isn’t technically possible with the website hosts. Web browsers have several built-in tools so that users can already help with accessibility, for example changing screen size. |
| January 2023 | The Preparing for Adulthood offer for young people isn't clear on the local offer. | The Preparing for Adulthood information has been updated on the Leeds Local Offer website. |
| January 2023 | Families are not being given the information about the support and services that are available to them. The amount of information available to families on websites can be overwhelming, and families don’t always know where to start to find services that can support them. | The officer responsible for the Leeds Local Offer website to action a focussed piece of work to look to develop a booklet that provides introductory information about short breaks, children’s transport, SEND support in schools, preparing for adulthood, SENDIASS, mental health support etc. |
| Date | You said | Our response |
| October 2022 | Create a document that explains how to use the website and how to find information. |
A document has been created for young people, parents / carers and professionals. These have been added to the front page of the Leeds Local Offer website.
|
| September 2022 | The information about EHCP’s and Schools is complicated and hard to understand. |
The education information on the website has been reviewed and the information updated and reorganised.
Information about EHCP’s has been condensed on the Leeds Local Offer website, and the SENSAP are continuing to review the information. |
| August 2022 | “The Leeds Local Offer is pretty good, and there is lots of useful information for families”. | - |
| August 2022 | The SEND system is incredibly complicated for families, and they don’t always want all the information at once. | We have developed a ‘new to SEND’ section on the Leeds Local Offer website, this appears on the front page. This also includes information around identifying if a child has SEND. |
| July 2022 |
There is a short breaks and fun activities catalogue for 0 to 18 year-olds, but not a lot of information about fun activities for over 18-year-olds.
|
A request to services and families to find out about activities for over 18 year was made in September 2022.
Activities for over 18 year olds can be found under ‘making friends and being involved in the community’ |
| May 2022 |
There is a lack of information about debt advice and support with bills.
|
Information about Leeds based money advice services have been added to the cost of living support section
|
| March 2022 | On contact page include ‘if you require any printed information contact us llo@leeds.gov.uk’. |
This has now been added to the contact page on the Leeds Local Offer.
|
| March 2022 |
Have the facebook group feed on the Local Offer website?
On contact page on the Leeds Local Offer have a live link to the LLO facebook group |
Having the facebook group feed on the website isn’t technically possible with the website hosts.
A link to the facebook group is now on the front page.
|
| March 2022 |
change language / size etc. i.e. what is cost of inbuilt accessibility / translate tool
|
Unfortunately, this isn’t technically possible with the website hosts. Web browsers have several built-in tools so that users can already help with accessibility, for example changing screen size
|
| February 2022 | Cannot find alternative provision i.e. Trust |
Information about AIP’s has been added to the education section on the Leeds Local Offer website.
|
| January 2022 | There is no information about localised cluster support on the Leeds Local Offer, families don’t understand what services are available to them and how to access them | We have worked with the Clusters and developed a ‘localised cluster support’ section. |
| January 2022 | Review the personal budgets and direct payments section and ensure all information is related to young people | The personal budgets and direct payment has been updated. |
| Date | You Said | Our Response |
| December 2021 | Full peer review of the Leeds Local Offer was undertaken, from the feedback amendments and developments will be made to the Leeds Local Offer website |
|
| November 2021 | The CYP section of the LLO is still too complicated and has too much information | Students from the Powerhouse, Post 16 West SILC, raised the issue. From Jan 2022 students will be meeting weekly to take ownership of the CYP and review this and make amendments to the website |
| October 2021 | No information about Cricket for the visually impaired | Researched cricket clubs available in Leeds and added them to the LLO under things to do |
| August 2021 | There are too many abbreviations used when talking about disabilities and the services available | A jargon buster has been developed, and a new 'jargon buster' section on the LLO has been created |
| August 2021 | Post 16 information on the LLO isn't clear and is quite poor | Full review of the post 16 information has been undertaken and all information has been updated. The sections under post 16 have been developed from the feedback from parents. |
| August 2021 | No section about toileting | A continence section has been added to the Health section on the website. |
| August 2021 | It is not clear which schools in Leeds have resourced partnerships and specialist partnerships |
Under the specialist schools section, we now have separated the schools information out into the following sections
|
| July 2021 | Holiday provision is not clear on the LLO | Developed a 'school holiday activities' section under 'Things to do'. This section will be updated for every school holiday. |
| June 2021 | Cannot find information about supporting a child with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) | A section under parent information and support has been developed called ‘support by disability’, this section includes information about FASD |
| June 2021 | Cannot find information about assistance dogs on the Leeds Local Offer website | We have now added information about assistance dogs under the autism / aspergers, ADHD & visual impairment sections on the Leeds Local Offer |
| May 2021 | The ‘Dance, Music and Theatre’ section to be edited to include visual art and/or Arts as there isn’t an obvious place to look for information about visual art projects. | We have now changed this section to include visual arts, the new title is ‘Dance, Music, Theatre & Arts’ |
| April 2021 | Information about the disability register needs to be shared with families. | The disability register is now promoted on the reverse of the Leeds Local Offer postcard. The disability register is also on the front page of the Leeds Local Offer website. |
| April 2021 | Need to have clear contact information for services on the Leeds Local Offer website | Every service on the website has been asked to provide a summary of information about their service and clear contact details, 75% of services have now provided this information. We are continuing to update the summary information so that it is available for 100% of services on the website |
| April 2021 | There needs to be a clear section about fun things to do on the website |
The short breaks and fun activities section on the website has been redesigned so it is more about ‘things to do’ In the young people’s section of the website we have added a section called ‘things to do’ which includes social groups, fun activities and sports that are available |
| April 2021 | Need to have clear contact information for services on the Leeds Local Offer website | Every service on the website has been asked to provide a summary of information about their service and clear contact details. All summaries have been updated |