Southend-on-Sea City Council has created a new support service this academic year focussed on universal and targeted speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

The aim of the team is to upskill schools and Early Years settings across Southend-on-Sea through a mix of training, projects and modelling of interventions.

93 parent carers received friendly advice and guidance from a SEND surgery last academic year.

If you’ve got a question, or need some advice or signposting, please come along. Our next surgery takes place on Wednesday 24 September (9am to 11am) at Hamstel Family Centre, SS2 4PQ.

Services due to be there are representatives from the Specialist Teaching Service, EHCP team, Preparing for Adulthood team, Occupational Therapy team, Inclusion team, School Nursing Service, Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) and the Local Offer team.

3 new SEND routemaps have been created to help guide parent carers through home to school travel assistance processes:

• How to apply for home to school travel assistance
• What happens if you are eligible for home to school travel assistance
• What to do if you disagree with a home to school travel assistance decision

Important notice: Please be aware that applications for September are now considered late, as the deadline of 31st May has passed. While eligible applications will still be assessed, we cannot guarantee that travel assistance will be available from the start of the Autumn term due to the high volume of applications currently being processed.

Elective Home Education (EHE) SEND Hubs offer support to families who are home educating their children with Special Educational Needs. You can get help with 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.

First, speak to your school's SENCO if you're concerned about a child's learning or wellbeing.

If your school has access to our time through buying into the Southend Educational Psychology service, they can refer to us.

We work closely with schools and families to understand each child's needs and provide caring, practical support helping create the best environment for them to learn, grow, and feel confident.  

Southend-on-Sea City Council continues to support families with disabled children through its targeted community programmes that benefit both children and their carers. 

In particular, Southend-on-Sea City Council has provided funding to 10 local organisations that are offering varied activities to support children across the SEND spectrum.   

Collectively over 5,000 places are being made available for activities for SEND children and young people over the coming year.

Meanwhile it is estimated that over 500 parents / carers will also benefit by receiving regular respite whilst their child takes part in these activities. 

We are pleased to share details of an important event being hosted by Southend Connexions, aimed at supporting young people across Southend-on-Sea as they receive their exam results this summer.

The event takes places on Friday, 22 August 2025 from 10.00am to 2.30pm at The Forum Library, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NS.

This is a free event. No booking required.

Additional Support: Drop-in Sessions

For those unable to attend the main event, Connexions will also be offering Drop-in Support Sessions from Tuesday 26 August to Friday 29 August from 10:00am to 2:30pm at The Forum Library.

These sessions provide an opportunity for young people and their families to receive 1:1 bespoke career guidance in a relaxed and supportive environment. No booking required.

The Southend SEND Local Offer Team and Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) will be holding a SEND information event for parent carers and professionals on Thursday 6 November at Southend Civic Centre.

There will be information talks and a `marketplace’ featuring a range of teams and services. Further information to follow soon.

We hope you’re all enjoying the summer break!

We’re really excited to announce that we have finalised dates for our coffee mornings until the end of 2026!

Our next three coffee mornings dates are as follows: 9 September, 14 October and 11 November 2025

To find all future dates until the end of 2026 check out our website.

As always, we appreciate your 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.

The Southend SEND Network is a dedicated space for organisations and groups supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families in Southend-on-Sea.

Here are some updates from the network:

• Just Ride are seeking volunteers to help put on their weekly sessions – could you support?
• Freedom are running another Freedom Kids session at Popworld on Friday 22 August - lots of fun for under 18's!
• Friends and Places Together are holding a series of open days and a sponsored walk.
• Disability Benefit Support; Work solo, not alone! organised by SEND The Right Message.
• SEND The Right Message Summer Spark - 30 free sensory-friendly activity ideas for neurodivergent and disabled children and teens. 1 activity shared every weekday on their social media. 
• SNAP Charity online directory and Survival Guides available on their website.
• Southend Adult Community College 2025/26 online brochure.
• Family Fun Day at Balmoral Community Centre for their 50th birthday celebration.

Southend SEND Youth Voice is a group for those aged 11 to 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Join us at a friendly, supportive meeting.

• share your experiences, thoughts and feedback
• take part in fun activities
• make important changes to improve the lives of children and young people with SEND in Southend

Next meeting: 8 September 2025 from 4.30pm to 6pm.

Are you a parent carer of a young child with SEND? Join the Local Offer team, and other parent carers on Monday 22 September 10am to 12pm in Committee Room 5, Southend Civic Centre to tell us what information you need on the SEND Local Offer, or how we can improve the quality or range of information for you.

Can’t make it in person? No problem – we’re running an online session on Teams on Tuesday 23 September 7pm to 8pm.

The Southend Council SEND team have three surveys and are encouraging families to provide feedback about their experiences on Annual Review and Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment processes.

The surveys are anonymous and take around 10 minutes to complete. Alternative formats of the surveys are available upon request – email localoffer@southend.gov.uk or call 01702 212328.

Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is in full swing this summer, packed with exciting activities for eligible children! The programme runs until 22 August 2025, make sure you book now.

You can find information about Free school meals on Southend.gov.uk

This Summer, the Local Offer Team is sharing activities and events happening in the City and surrounding areas.

Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

AskSARA is an on-line self-help guide which provides users with advice and information about equipment and products that make daily living easier.

It is offered as a handy tool for people who want to buy their own equipment and will make it quicker and easier for those who don’t necessarily want an onsite assessment.

An interactive document produced by highly specialist Occupational Therapists in Essex.

It has been created for professionals and parent carers whose children and young people are experiencing sensory differences that are affecting their wellbeing and function. You can download the toolkit via the link below.

The Neurodivergent Support Pack is a comprehensive resource created by the Southend City Youth Council to foster understanding and support for Neurodivergent teenagers.

It covers various neurological conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Tic Disorders, and Synaesthesia.

The Southend City Inclusion Ideas and Inspiration resource provides a wealth of ideas, strategies, and support.

This regularly updated information is hosted on a Padlet platform and is designed to assist both parent carers and professionals in supporting individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Smooth transitions between educational phases and settings are crucial for all children, but especially for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, some of whom may have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan.

Early planning and collaboration are key to ensuring a successful move.