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This newsletter is from the SEND Partnership, made up of organisations and services who provide support in Southend for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. This newsletter is to give you the latest updates and information on local services. |
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Starting school
Starting school is a big step for children and while it is normal for all children to have worries and fears, it is important to keep an eye out for any signs they may be struggling.
Find out more
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Home to school September transport update
If your child is eligible for home to school transport, you should have received a letter by now from Vecteo about your "Meet and Greet" session, with the driver and passenger assistant.
Vecteo staff have been working incredibly hard to make sure this September runs more smoothly than the previous year, and this includes liaising with schools, parents, attending open days and planning meet and greet sessions.
If you have successfully applied for home to school transport and haven’t heard from Vecteo, please contact info@vecteo.co.uk
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Draft annual survey for young people with an EHCP
Southend Council SEND Team are developing a survey for young people who have an EHCP to find out about their experience of the annual review process. The survey is in draft form currently, based on discussions we’ve already had with young people.
It’s important that we get the questions right, so are inviting young people with an EHCP to review the draft questions and give us their feedback by 4 September.
The actual survey itself will be launched in late September. We’ll be producing a video to accompany the launch and would love for young people with SEND to be involved. If there are any budding actors or voiceover artists out there that would like to take part, please contact us at localoffer@southend.gov.uk by 31 August.
View the draft survey questions
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Club Inklusion SEND youth group
Club Inklusion is a friendly, weekly group for children and young people with SEND offering a range of fun things to do including team games, arts and crafts, pool and table-tennis.
- Club Inklusion Juniors, ages 9 to 16, on Thursdays 6pm to 7.30pm.
- Club Inklusion Seniors, ages 16 to 25, on Thursdays 7.45pm to 9.15pm.
- A group for 5 to 8 year olds which runs on Wednesdays 4pm to 5.30pm.
For more details or if you’d like to go along, contact Jackie Byram on jackiebyram@southend.gov.uk or telephone 01702 298495.
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Coffee and chat with SSIF
Find out more about the Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) at their informal coffee and chat events. Next one is on Tuesday 13 September at SAVS, Alexandra Street, Southend.
Find out more
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Hearing impairment terminology
The Hearing Impairment Outreach Service has launched a quick survey to find out what term should replace 'hearing impairment', which is often considered outdated.
If this is a topic you have an opinion on, the survey closes on 31 August so please find out more and cast your vote.
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Children's health
Did you know the school nursing team have a text message service where children, young people or their parents and carers, can ask any health-related questions in confidence? The Chat Health service can offer advice and guidance about all sorts of things from managing exam stress, through to immunisation advice. Text them on 07507 331884.
A children's picture book called "Drew's Fab Jab" is available to borrow from libraries and children's centres. The book was written and illustrated by author and publisher, Gregoire Hodder and illustrator, Jamie Sugg, and follows the adventures of Drew the mouse as he goes to a vaccination appointment and learns along the way about how to stay calm and how injections work.
Also children aged 5 to 11 are now eligible for the Covid vaccine. Find out more.
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The Lighthouse Parent and Carer User Network
Parents and carers of children who use services provided by the Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend are being asked to share their views at an upcoming virtual event.
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) began managing The Lighthouse in March 2022 and is inviting people to take part in a new Parent and Carer User Network to help improve and shape services.
If you would like to take part, please register your interest using this form.
The first network meeting will take place in early October. If you have any queries about the event, or need any support to attend, please email epunft.PET@nhs.net .
We also work with local parent carer forums which you can provide feedback to:
For contact information for The Lighthouse, and details of local offer pages, visit the EPUT website. EPUT also now has a dedicated website page for keeping families up to date with the latest news about The Lighthouse.
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Dates for the Diary
We have put together a list of activities and events that are happening this summer. Some of these activities are specifically SEND and some are inclusive activities aimed at all children.
Find out more
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Tell us what you think
We want to include content in this newsletter that you, as a parent or professional, want to read and will find helpful. Please let us know your thoughts and ideas by emailing: SENDenewsletter@southend.gov.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
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