Southend SEND Multi-Schools Council and Southend City Council's SEND Youth Participation team have joined forces to host a networking day of 'Courageous Conversations' to explore how to improve outcomes for young people with SEND in Southend.

This event aims to create a safe space for open dialogue about the challenges and successes in supporting children with SEND.

Representatives from schools, education, local authority, parent forums, alternative provisions, youth organisations, charities and young people's groups are invited to attend.

• date/time: 9 May 2025 from 10.00am to 1.30pm
• venue: Southend Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1NS
• the event is free to attend. Refreshments and lunch included

Book a place, maximum 2 tickets per organisation.

Contact Jade Weller JadeWeller@southend.gov.uk or Fay Velleman southendmschoolscouncil@gmail.com

Introducing Southend City Youth Council's Neurodivergent Support Pack, a thoughtful resource designed to empower young people with practical tools, guidance, and real stories from those who understand.

It’s about fostering confidence, embracing individuality, and providing the right support to help every young person thrive. Together, we can create a more understanding and inclusive Southend.

Visit Southend's Youth Council website and download the pack.

The Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend is hosting a free event for parents and carers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or other neurodivergent conditions to meet local organisations providing support and information.

This session is part of our 5-week parent workshop, but it has been opened to all families who would like to attend.

Come along to talk to staff from The Lighthouse, as well as Autism Essex, Garon Park, Fast Progress Tuition, Punching for Purpose and the MegaCentre.

• Date and time: Thursday 27 March 2025, 10am to 12pm
• Location: St Cedds, Bridgwater drive, Westcliff, SS0 0DS
• To book a space: email epunft.Lighthouse.ASD@nhs.net

Please note, this event is for parents and carers only and unfortunately children are not able to attend

HAF is a free and exciting holiday programme for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who get benefits-related free school meals.

HAF codes will be issued to eligible pupils from 13 March 2025 via their schools. You can book a maximum of 4 sessions on the  Livewell Southend website. Sessions will run between 7 to 10 April 2025.

You can contact the HAF team by emailing HAF@southend.gov.uk

Last remaining tickets available to our next seminar on the 20 March aimed at families who have applied for, or are thinking about applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), but would also like to find out more.

Book now on Eventbrite.

As you may know we attended the Contact and NNPCF in-person conference last month, the event is a great opportunity to catch up with other Parent Carer Forum's nationally, to share ideas and experiences, and to discuss best practise and learn more about what is happening in other areas.

We are pleased to update with event highlights.

We are pleased to announce that after feedback received we are now running a Friday drop-in at the Civic Centre once every half term.

These drop-ins are open to all, parent carers and professionals alike, to come along and meet your Parent Carer Forum and find out more about what we do. The next drop-in session will be on 28 March from 1pm to 3pm. Find out more.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is developing a Preparing for Adulthood SEND strategy.

The journey from childhood to adulthood is an important time for all children and young people, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It is vital that children receive the right support and guidance at the earliest opportunity to prepare them for becoming an adult, and to help them reach their full potential and lead a fulfilling life.

Learn more and get involved!

Need SEND support and advice? Attend a free drop-in SEND Surgery.

Monthly SEND Surgeries offer a chance to get advice and information from a range of experts. SEND Early Years, Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Lighthouse ASD/Jigsaws, Oral Health, and Local Offer teams will be available at this session.

Next Surgery: Wednesday, March 19 from 9am to 11am at Shoeburyness High School, Caulfield Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9LL.

No need to book, simply drop in. All families are welcome, regardless of school attendance. Future dates and locations.

The Southend SEND Network is for organisations and groups that support local children and young people with SEND and their families.

The SEND Network was set up to:

• ensure the local community is better informed about services and support
• help families understand how the Partnership is working to deliver local SEND services
• reach and engage more families and increase participation in co-production
• ensure the voice of local families, groups and stakeholders are captured, fed back, and heard across the Partnership
• strengthen relationships across the Southend SEND community

Learn more about the Southend SEND Network and how to join.

Share your experiences, ideas, and feedback to shape a better future for young people with SEND in Southend-on-Sea at the next SEND Youth Voice meeting!

Details: Tuesday 18 March, 4:30 to 6:30pm at Friends and Places Together, Top Floor, Unit 13, Victoria Shopping Centre. This meeting includes a craft session at the new Create98 in Victoria Shopping Centre.

Read about Southend SEND Youth Voice.

Elective Home Education (EHE) SEND Hubs offer a range of support services to families who choose to home educate their children with Special Educational Needs (SEND). You can get support on accessing educational resources, specialist advice and guidance, social opportunities, and support groups.

The EHE SEND Hubs will run at the Visitor Centre in Priory Park from 10am to 2pm on the following dates: 8 April, 6 May, 3 June, and 8 July.  

Please email the EHE Team for more information electivehomeeducation@southend.gov.uk or visit the EHE Hub on Your Say Southend.

The Early Years SEND Support Service host stay and play sessions, designed to support you and your child with a variety of play and sensory experiences.

The sessions are available to children with SEND aged 0 to 5 and their families in Southend and run on Wednesdays 1pm to 2:30pm. A variety of different services join the sessions to provide support and information. Find out more.

The Lighthouse Parent, Carer and Young Person Network is open to all parents, carers and young people living in Southend and Essex who use services provided by the Lighthouse Childhood Development Centre in Southend-on-Sea

Meetings give you the opportunity to:

• meet and speak to the Lighthouse team
• ask questions
• hear about service developments
• connect with other parents, carers and young people
• stay for as long or as little as you like, come with a question or simply to listen.

The network meets on the first Tuesday of each month, alternating between 12.30pm to 2pm and 7pm to 8.30pm. Find out more.

The Lighthouse team is holding a number of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) support sessions for families in Southend, Essex and surrounding areas.

Your child does not need to have a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD for you to join these sessions, they are open to all families. Find out more.

Join us for a Transitions Workshop designed for parents and carers. This workshop will cover important topics such as school transitions, the Ready Steady Go programme, and effective strategies to support your child through various transitions. While suitable for all ages, the workshop will focus on the changes that occur during the teenage years.

The workshop will be delivered by staff from the Child Lighthouse Development Centre ASD/ADHD team.

Booking is essential for this workshop. To register your interest and book a place, please email: epunft.lighthouse.reception@nhs.net or bookingslittleheroes.asd@gmail.com

• Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Location: Little Heroes ASD Support Hub, Garon Community Centre, Garon Park, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 4FA

Don't miss this valuable opportunity to learn how to best support your child through transitions!

Join us at a Your Local Offer Your Way session to tell us what information would be useful for you on the SEND Local Offer section of Livewell Southend.

Our next sessions will run on Friday 4 April 9.30am to 12pm in the Jubilee Room, Southend Civic Centre and on Tuesday 8 April 7pm to 8pm (online meeting through MS Teams).

Find out more and view all sessions.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17 to 23 March) is a global event designed to combat stereotypes and misunderstandings surrounding neurological differences.

It encourages schools, universities, organisations, and others to recognise the strengths and talents of neurodivergent people, fostering more inclusive and equitable environments.

This year's event features numerous free panel discussions with inspiring speakers from diverse backgrounds, covering key neurodiversity topics to educate and spark conversation. Find out more.

You can help us improve services and the Local Offer for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and their families in Southend-on-Sea.

Share your feedback about the Local Offer website, Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), and Annual Reviews, and stay informed.

Find out more.