This year's Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on the power of community. In Southend-on-Sea, our support networks are vital for positive mental health, especially for families and individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Let's take this week to appreciate the connections we have and explore ways to strengthen them.

Discover local services that promote well-being on the Local Offer.

Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week from the Mental Health Foundation.

We have some remaining tickets for our next seminar about Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Reviews on 12 May 2025.  The seminar is aimed at ParentCarers who have an EHCP in place for their child or young person but would like to find out more about the Annual Review process. Find out more and book your free ticket.

As, always we appreciate feedback on your lived experiences of SEND services in Southend-on-Sea – the positives, the negatives and everything in-between! Complete our family feedback form.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next coffee morning on the 13 May 2025 and are excited to catch up! Find out more about the coffee mornings.

Have you seen that we are now holding Drop-in Fridays sessions every half term? The next one will be on the 23 May at 1^st floor, Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER.

The session is open to everyone. ParentCarers looking to find out more about what the Forum does, professionals who want to understand our role and those who would just like to join us for a hot drink and a natter. No need to book tickets. We will be there between 1pm and 3pm. It would be great to see you there!

Our next SEND Surgery will take place on Monday 19 May 2025, 9am to 11am at Leigh North Street Primary School, North Street, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1QE.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of school attendance. Come along and get friendly face to face advice from a range of teams and services.

Find out more.

If you haven’t already done so, take a look at our SEND Routemaps – visual guides to help families navigate SEND processes.

Visit Your Say Southend to view the routemaps and share your feedback by scanning the QR code on the back of each one.

View the routemaps on Your Say Southend.

Parent carers applying for Short Breaks grants, we've listened to feedback received in the Short Breaks inbox.

You'll now see character limits indicated on the application form to help with completion. Please note that any information you've already entered is saved in your My Southend account. Log back in to finish the form and submit your application.

Applications for Community Access Grants (for families) opened on Friday 2 May and will close at midnight on Thursday 5 June 2025.

Applications for Main Access Grants (for organisations and groups) opened on Monday 14 April 2025 and will close at midnight on Sunday 18 May 2025.

Please view the 2025/26 Short Breaks Statement on the Local Offer for more information and how to apply for grants.

The updated Home to School Travel Assistance Policy is now available, including guidance relevant to SEND.

Access more information via these links:

• general information about school and college transport assistance
• SEND specific information
• Travel Assistance Policy details

If you have any questions or queries related to the new policy, or travel assistance in general, please contact us at EducationTransport@southend.gov.uk

The Southend SEND Network is for organisations and groups who support children and young people with SEND and/or their families who live in Southend-on-Sea, and local parent carers.

Read about news and events from the Southend SEND Network and other local organisations:

• All-in Music are seeking feedback from organisations and services to support their future work around music-making services for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Please complete the survey
• The Summer edition of SNAP Matters magazine is out now and full of updates from across the charity
• Southend Community College are inviting professionals working in education, youth services, health and social care, local government, and community outreach to a special Professionals Open Evening

If you wish to join the Network, please contact localoffer@southend.gov.uk

The SFDC programme supports families living in England who are raising a disabled child or young person. It is funded by the Department for Education and administered by Family Fund.

The grant programme opened on 7 May 2025.

Read more on the Family Fund grant programmes page.

Discover a wealth of information about support for children and young people (0 to 25) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities on the Livewell Southend website.

Join us on 15 and/or 20 May 2025 to learn more about the Local Offer and tell us what information is important to you.

View Your Local Offer, Your Way session dates and times.

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

The sessions are for children with SEND aged 0 to 5 and their families in Southend and run on Wednesdays 1pm to 2:30pm. A range of services provide support and information. 

Next sessions:

• 21 May 2025 - Educational Psychology Team
• 4 June 2025 - NHS continence team (toileting advice)
• 18 June 2025 - Little Heroes ASD Support Group
• 2 July 2025 - SEND Local Offer
• 16 July 2025 - Early Years SEND Advisor

Read more about the SEND Play and Development group.

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

For dates and locations, email the EHE Team electivehomeeducation@southend.gov.uk or visit the EHE Hub on Your Say Southend.

EPUT is recruiting autistic individuals and people with learning disabilities to co-deliver staff training. Join over 20 Experts by Experience already involved!

This vital role helps ensure better care for autistic people and those with learning disabilities. You'll work with supportive trainers, receive full training, and be paid for your time.

Read more.

Parents/carers who've been through the Education, Health and Care needs assessment process since September 2021 are invited to share their feedback. Help the Southend SEND Team improve the process by completing this short survey (under 15 mins).

Read more and take the survey.

Discover exciting events and activities happening across Southend this May half term! Follow the SEND Local Offer on Facebook and Instagram for all the details, including dates, times, and locations. Get ready for some half-term fun!

Don't miss out on the latest news, events, and information relevant to families of children and young people with SEND in Southend-on-Sea. Subscribe now!

Subscribe to the Southend SEND Area Partnership newsletter to receive regular updates directly to your inbox. Be the first to know about upcoming workshops, policy changes, local support services, and more.

To review our most recent publications, the latest three editions of the newsletter are available at the following links:

• SEND Area Partnership newsletter, April edition
• SEND Area Partnership newsletter, March edition
• SEND Area Partnership newsletter, February edition