By KLTV Newsdesk –

Local Offer Live brings together over 80 services to support families across the district

A flagship event for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is set to return to Kirklees next month, and organisers say it will be the biggest yet.

The free event, Local Offer Live, takes place on Thursday 23 October 2025 at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield (formerly John Smith’s Stadium), running from 9.15 am to 5.15 pm.

Families can drop in at any time throughout the day. Free accessible parking, an on-site café, and interpreter support will also be available.

Bringing Services Together

Local Offer Live is organised by PCAN (Parents of Children with Additional Needs) in partnership with Kirklees Council, with the aim of providing practical advice, support, and connections for families.

This year, more than 80 organisations will be represented under one roof, including Carers Count, the EHCP team, wheelchair services, KIAS, children and adults social care, and REAL Employment, as well as activity providers for children and young people with SEND.

A wide range of free workshops will also run throughout the day, covering everything from inclusive activities to planning for the future.

“A Welcoming Place for Families”

Cllr Jane Rylah, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Education, said: “It’s exciting to welcome back the Local Offer Live event. We’ve been working closely with PCAN to make this year’s event the biggest ever.

“Our goal is to help every local child and young person with SEND thrive, and that starts with making sure families feel informed, supported, and empowered.

“Many parents and professionals will already be aware of the Local Offer website – which is a brilliant resource of services and support.

“This event brings that range of services and support to life for the hundreds of people who visit.

“If you’re a parent or carer looking for inclusive activities, therapy services, mental health support, or just a chance to meet other families on a similar journey, the Local Offer Live event is a welcoming place to find it all.

“The same applies to professionals in the SEND environment who want to make connections with others.”

Parents’ Voices at the Heart

Organisers have shaped the event around feedback from families to ensure the most in-demand services are present.

PCAN Trustees said: “Parents regularly tell us how hard it is to navigate lots of services so in addition to the information stands, there are also free workshops on topics such as knowing what to expect from your child’s school, finding inclusive activities, financial planning for the future, and managing a multitude of meetings.”

Ongoing Investment in SEND

Local Offer Live comes at a time of major investment in SEND services across Kirklees.

The council is committing multi-million-pound improvements to expand and upgrade special school facilities, helping more children with additional needs to be educated locally.

Other initiatives include:

• Creating Additionally Resourced Provisions, giving more specialist places in mainstream schools.

• Introducing school clusters to improve early identification and tailored responses to children’s needs.

Find Out More

For full details of the organisations and workshops at Local Offer Live, as well as wider SEND support in Kirklees, visit the Local Offer website.