We have made better, more focused search results

• We are now using Google Custom Search for information and advice.
• We use this already on somerset.gov.uk and we know it works well.

More control over the order of results

We are using a separate, bespoke search for directories – SEND services, schools, and childcare. This allows more control over the order of results to make relevant to you – location, age group, type of services and more.

We have made clear pathways through information

• Where processes are complicated, we have a design pattern to help to take you through each step.
• By laying out the process using steps we can help to give you an understanding of where you are and what comes next.

For example, Education, Health and Care Plans – The page takes you on a journey breaking down the process into steps (often numbered). Eligibility criteria and supporting documents or referral forms are available in the relevant steps to avoid overwhelming before you get to that point. It is clear what comes next but also what should have happened before.

We have put the information in the right place

• Somerset Council and Somerset’s SEND Local Offer websites have been merged to avoid the same information being in two separate places.
• The SEND information is clearly and consistently designed, so you will quickly and easily be able to find it.
• Its place within universal information helps provide context.

For example, we used to have the SEND part of Youth Offending sat in the Preparing for adult life section of the Local Offer due to the age group it was relevant for. But this did not fit well as a topic (we are not encouraging young people to prepare to start offending!). So now it sits in the council’s Youth Offending section. People can now see what support is available to prevent youth offending and at a glance in the purple box see how this provision is adapted for young people with SEND.

We have a program that tells us if there are dead links (the web page no longer exists) so we can try to make sure this does not happen. This automated process can only tell us if the links is dead though. It won’t tell us if the webpage linked to still works but no longer has the content we told you they have. Somerset Parent Carer Forum audit pages every 6 months to catch these broken links. But please continue to use the feedback form at the bottom of every page to let us know if you find any links not working or not showing what you expected to see.