Introduction
In the same way that SEND is everyone’s business, so is raising awareness of Somerset’s SEND Local Offer. Parent carers tell us they wish the professionals working with them had informed them about the site sooner.
To make things easier, we have created various resources that can be used in both big events and personal conversations. These resources aim to raise awareness about how parent carers can access the appropriate services when they need them. They also encourage how to feedback about the Local Offer. If you’re interested in using physical resources such as banners and giant Jenga, you can reserve them by filling in this form.
Following requests, Alice the Local Offer Young Persons Champion developed an online learning module on Somerset’s SEND Local Offer. It is for people who work or volunteer within services that support parent carers who may have children and young people (aged 0-25 years) with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Designed to help you understand where you can go to find information and support and how you can share this with the people you are working with. For Somerset Council staff you can access on The Learning Centre (select ‘Single Sign On’). For external staff or volunteers you can access on The Learning Centre as a guest (select ‘Manual Login’).
Visuals
A wide range of visual resources perfect for all your events or meetings.
Display board
Some of the most commonly asked questions or viewed pages are summarised with QR codes to take people straight to the page if they scan with their mobile. It gives a view of what the Local Offer website looks like and the breadth of information and support they can find on it. Topics are laminated and attached by Velcro so can be moved around and swapped based on audience need.
Packed up they are 92cm x 61cm x 6cm
In use they are approximately 140cm wide x 83cm tall x 20cm deep
Posters
Posters can be used on noticeboards, windows or walls.
Poster advertising what the Local Offer is and where to find it. A4 size.
Activities
There are loads of cool ways to spread the word about the Local Offer! You can do all sorts of stuff, like have fun activities at events or print activities for children to do in waiting rooms. Let’s get the word out there!
Giant Jenga
The Giant Jenga can be used on a stand/market stall, or simply as an activity for a group. Playing Jenga is a bit like trying to navigate your way through the SEND system, in particular finding the right information to help you help yourself. It’s a great conversation starter for example talking about the areas of information we have as each brick is pulled out and a conversation started about the topic it is labelled with – QR codes can take people straight to that page if they’re interested. There are a few blank blocks give a chance to talk about what you struggle to find. It comes with some display signs and a set of conversation topics and accessibility considerations.
Packed up it is 45 x 20 x 32 cm; 14.5 kg, each block being 17.4 x 5.8 x 4.5 cm
In use it starts at 17.4 x 17.4 x 90 cm but needs about 4m² floorspace .
The rules of Local Offer Jenga are as laid back as you need them to be. The aim is to have fun and learn about the breadth of information available in one place. Use the conversation topics to keep everyone talking and interested, some ideas for adjustments you can make for accessibility.
Keeping safe whilst using Giant Jenga and Dominoes
Giant dominoes
The Giant Dominoes can be used on a stand/market stall, or simply as an activity for a group. Playing dominoes keeps children occupied whilst you talk to adults. It also gives a bit of a conversation starter about the breadth of information available on the Local Offer – QR codes can take people straight to that menu if they’re interested.
Packed up it is 14 x 7 x 38 cm; 1.8 kg, each block being 13 x 6.3 x 1.2 cm
In use it needs about 4m² floorspace.
The rules of Local Offer Dominoes are as laid back as you need them to be. The aim is to have fun and learn about the breadth of information available in one place. Use the conversation topics to keep everyone talking and interested.
Keeping safe whilst using Jenga and Dominoes
Printable colouring and activity sheets
Black and white pdfs with mixture of line drawings for colouring in and wordsearches. Use as a handout for people to take away or as an activity for children and young people to be kept occupied whilst you talk to parent carers. Some can also be a conversation starter about the breadth of information available on the Local Offer – QR codes can take people straight to that menu if they’re interested.
Key topics of information with pictures for children to colour and QR codes for parent carers to find further information
- Local Offer colouring sheets – bonus Easter edition
- Local Offer colouring sheets – bonus Diwali edition
- Local Offer colouring sheets – bonus Halloween edition
- Local Offer colouring sheets – bonus Hanukkah edition
- Local Offer colouring sheets – bonus Christmas edition
Word searches listing key topics of information and QR codes to find further information
Find accessible parts of your community and share with others
Printable paper glider
Fly the Local Offer through the sky – how far can you spread the message? Print out a template and follow the instructions to turn a piece of A4 paper into a glider.
How to fold the Local Offer paper glider
Local Offer glider template - print on both sides flipping on short edge
Printable page keeper or bookmark
Books can be a helpful tool providing guidance on a parent carers journey. They can be easy to get lost in too, so a handy bookmark or page keeper can help you keep track, whilst reminding where and what Somerset’s SEND Local Offer is.
Cut out and fold this handy origami bookmark to keep your spot in books.
Want to signpost parent carers to helpful books? Don’t forget Somerset Libraries have both the Somerset Autism Collection and Reading Well self-help books that cover children and young people’s mental health and long term conditions. Somerset Parent Carer Forum also have a resource library free for members to borrow from.
Digital
Files you can use to help spread awareness of our Local Offer during meetings and communications.
Slideshows and videos
Use the slides (with detailed notes pages) to explain to people what the Local Offer is and how to feedback.
Frequently accessed topics with QR codes. Slides autoplay and loop so great for use on conference screens during lunchbreaks, or on waiting room screens. Instructions included for how to only show the topics relevant to your area.
Feedback received during 2022 website upgrade and what we changed as a result, with examples in use. Slides autoplay and loop so great for use on conference screens during lunchbreaks, or on waiting room screens. Instructions included for how to only show the example relevant to your area.
You can also see these slide shows presented in the Local Offer Live session below which can be shared.
The case study animation below can be used in training sessions.
MSTeams or Zoom call backdrop
To set your backdrop in MSTeams during a call click on Background filters just below your video image. Select Add new and then select the jpeg from where you saved it (probably downloads folder) to upload.
To set your backdrop in Zoom during a call click on More in the controls. Select Background and Effects and choose + to add a new image and then select the jpeg from where you saved it (probably downloads folder) to upload. Select Close after selecting the background to return to the meeting.
Note, don’t panic if it looks backwards, it will be the right way round for people on the call.
A backdrop to use on MSTeams or Zoom calls to promote and show the service you offer is part of Somerset's SEND Local Offer.
Email signature
Put the Local Offer banner in your email signature to remind people how to find information about SEND services.
In Microsoft Outlook go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures. In the ‘Signatures and Stationary’ panel, click on the image button to add an image. Find the SEND email signature image from your files and click ‘Insert’ . Once you have inserted the image, select the image by clicking on it, then click on the hyperlink button. Next, enter the URL https://www.somerset.gov.uk/local-offer into the box labelled address and click ok. Finally, click ok to close the remaining pop-up window. You may need to reselect your signature the first time you use it.
Local Offer banner for use in email signatures
How to add the Local Offer banner into your email signature with screenshots
My Important Stuff
Printable and personalised version of Somerset’s SEND Local Offer
This document gives you the opportunity to write down information about yourselves in one place. This includes people, groups and organisations that can support you. You can carry ‘My Important Stuff’ wherever you go, know who to contact and help others understand your needs. You can download it here or or call the Contact Centre on 0300 123 2224. They will print one off and send it to you. Find out more about My Important Stuff and how to use it.
A place to record people, groups and organisations that can support you. Know who to contact when, and help others understand your needs.