Who is the SEND Partnership?

The partnership is made up of organisations that have a responsibility to support local children and young people with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND). This includes the NHS Southend Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Southend-on-Sea City Council, public health, early years childcare providers, schools, colleges, independent parent forums and more. The Southend SEND Partnership was formed to ensure the local area carries out its duties and to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of support.

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Neurodevelopmental guide available online

A free guide has been developed for families in the City of Southend with a child or young person with neurodevelopmental needs. Its aim is to increase knowledge and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, what support and services are available, and to provide reassurance, guidance, signposting, and recommendations to families.

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The Southend SEND Youth Forum

The Southend SEND Youth Forum was created in September 2021 for young people between 11 and 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The Forum has around 10-15 members currently and has met each half term through on-line meetings.  In person meetings will take place as soon as we are able to.

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Robo pets in Southend schools 

Robo cats and dogs were introduced in the spring term  of 2021 by the Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice & Support Service (SENDIASS) as a pilot. Special Schools and Special Educational Needs (SEN) resource bases within Southend schools, were given robotic pets to help support children and young people with SEND.

The Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership then supported the expansion of the trial so that every key stage 1 setting (aged four to seven years) and specialist provisions for adult learners with learning disabilities (up to 25 years) within the City of Southend were provided with at least one ‘Robo Pet’.

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Who are Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF)?

SSIF are a family friendly independent forum, made up of parents and carers of SEND children with a range of needs. Their own experiences make them passionate and committed to ensuring parents or carers of SEND children and young people aged 0-25 years, have an opportunity to be heard.

SSIF meet with the Local Authority at a strategic level and work in partnership with Education, Social Care, the NHS trust, Clinical Commissioning Group, and Medical professionals. They feedback on behalf of parents and carers across Southend to shape agendas, influence important decisions and bring about as much change as is possible.

Find out more about SSIF and meet the team

Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) - Easter holidays

After a great trial year in 2021 the Department for Education has announced continued grant funding to allow local councils provide a HAF programme over the Easter, Summer and Christmas Holiday periods for the next three years (2022-25).

Charities, schools and local businesses have been asked to come forward and help provide heaps of fun for children and young people in Southend-on-Sea this Easter.

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What do you want to read in this e-newsletter?

If you have an idea for an article or content that you think parents with children living with SEND or professionals working in SEND might want to read, please let us know your thoughts. We want this e-newsletter to be something you look forward to receiving in your email inbox each month and value your input. Due to the local elections, we have some time before the next issue - so please get in touch! Email SENDenewsletter@southend.gov.uk.