|
|
Welcome to the Southend SEND Partnership Newsletter, your monthly source of SEND information and support in Southend-on-Sea.
This newsletter is from the Southend SEND Partnership, made up of organisations and services dedicated to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in Southend-on-Sea.
|
|
Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF), and the SEND Local Offer Team are pleased to invite parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), and professionals to a SEND Information Day.
Come along and meet teams and services and hear information talks!
Date and time: 6 November 2025 from 9:00am to 3:00pm (drop in anytime).
Venue: Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6ER.
|
|
|
Take a Sensory Break with Cubbie
The Cubbie sensory pod at The Victoria Centre offers a calm, private space for anyone needing a sensory break.
Adjust light, sound, and visuals to suit you. Download the app, enter your PIN, and log how you feel when you leave. Children under 13 must be with an adult.
|
|
|
The Children's Learning Disability Service: virtual listening events
Join The Children's Learning Disability Team at their virtual listening events on 15 and 22 October 2025.
The events are focused on The Children's Learning Disability Service, and the team looks forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!
|
|
|
Act now! Sixth form and college open events and key dates for those with EHCPs
Families are reminded that there are more sixth form and college open evenings coming up.
It’s important to find out what is available in the local area and consider options in advance. Young people from years 9 to 11 are encouraged to attend and plan early.
For young people with EHCPs, it is especially important to plan ahead to ensure a smooth transition to post-16 education. We’ve highlighted important dates and actions for you.
|
|
|
Essex Youth Map - discover a range of groups and activities
The Essex Youth Map is your essential guide to over 7,000 youth groups and activities across Essex. Easily discover and explore the vast range of opportunities available. Use the map to find engaging groups, sports, arts, and educational activities near you.
This resource has been added to the events and activities section on Livewell Southend.
Start your journey to connection and discovery today!
|
|
|
Short Breaks funded and subsidised activities
Families are reminded that there are a range of activities for children and young people with SEND funded by the Short Breaks Main Access Grant.
Take a look at what’s available!
|
|
|
Specialist Teaching Service: support for students with SEND
The Specialist Teaching Service supports students in mainstream schools with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), including those with EHC (Education Health and Care) Plans or requiring assessment.
We offer guidance and training for families and carers, and training for schools and professionals.
Our Sensory and Physical and Impairment teams assist children from birth with hearing, visual, physical, or medical needs.
Visit our YouTube channel, and take a look at our SEND Padlet for helpful resources!
|
|
|
Neuro Ambassadors are looking for schools to join their programme
|
Neuro Inclusion UK Ltd and Southend High School for Boys are driving change with their Neuro Ambassadors programme, which promotes understanding, acceptance, and awareness of neurodiversity among students and staff.
Neuro Inclusion UK offers consultancy and resources to Southend schools, and additional materials are available for purchase.
The programme earned praise from Ofsted for fostering inclusive understanding. Beyond education, the organisation offers workplace training to help businesses support neurodivergent employees. Its ultimate goal is for all schools to teach students about the value of neurodiversity.
|
|
 |
|
|
Speech and Language Therapy Service - advice line
 |
|
The advice line is staffed by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist from 9.30 to 11.30am Monday to Friday (voicemail facility for messages outside those hours).
The purpose is to give easy access to a qualified Speech and Language Therapist for pre-referral advice, support, and reassurance for parents/carers, professionals, settings and schools. Call 01702 578601.
|
|
|
Our next coffee morning is on Tuesday 14 October 2025. It’s a great opportunity for parent carers to get together to share experiences. We have the Local Offer Team with us and invite 1 or 2 additional guests from other services like education or health to offer guidance and advice.
There is a creche available for your little ones under 5s provided by Chaos and Calm.
It would be great to see you there!
We are also looking forward to seeing you at the SEND Information day on the 6 November 2025 where we hope you will be able to gather lots of information and advice.
|
|
|
SSIF want your feedback!
As always, we appreciate your feedback on your lived experiences of SEND in Southend-on-Sea – the positives, the negatives and everything in-between!
Please complete our family feedback form.
|
|
|
Understanding Neurodivergence - Lighthouse Q&A session for parent and carers
The Lighthouse Child Development Centre has organised a Questions and Answers session which is open to any parent carer who is under their services and any parent carer whose child has a diagnosis received by them or another provider.
- Date: 14 October 2025
- Time: 10am to 12pm
- Venue: Community Space, Methodist Church Rayleigh SS6 7JP.
You can contact the team for further information: epunft.lighthouse.adhd@nhs.net or epunft.lighthouse.asd@nhs.net
|
|
|
Every child has a super body
|
This winter, empower your child's natural defences with the NHS Mid and South Essex Super Bodies campaign!
Your child’s immune system is strong, and this guide helps you confidently manage common bugs like colds and coughs at home without unnecessary antibiotics.
Crucially, it highlights the importance of the free flu and RSV vaccines as the best way to give their Super Body an extra shield against serious illness.
|
|
 |
|
|
New Early Years Sensory Toolkit
We’re happy to share a new toolkit for young children aged 0 to 5 years.
This resource is aimed at parents and carer, teachers and nursery staff, and anyone helping young children
This toolkit helps you understand:
- how our senses (like touch, sound, and sight) affect how we live and learn
- how to support children with their sensory needs
|
|
|
Children’s Physiotherapy drop-in clinics
The NHS Children’s Physiotherapy team have added more physiotherapy drop-in clinic dates. The clinics are for parents of children aged 0 to 5 and offer quick screening and immediate advice.
Drop-in if you need advice on how to help your child learn to move, or if you are worried about the way they move or walk.
|
|
|
Virtual Views
Virtual Views is the engagement page where you can give your feedback about services for babies, children, and young people in mid and south Essex.
Our dedicated teams are here to provide vital children's services, addressing all aspects of children's health issues with compassion and expertise.
Share your views and help us improve our services!
|
|
|
Lighthouse Autism Duty Line – have your say
The Lighthouse Child Development Centre are considering changing the operating times and days of their Autism Duty Line.
Find out more and have your say!
|
|
|
Upcoming SEND Surgeries
Members of the Southend-on-Sea City Council SEND Team and other services will be available to answer questions and provide advice to parent carers of children and young people with SEND at upcoming SEND Surgeries:
- Friday 17 October 2025. The Eastwood Academy, Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 5UU.
- Monday 17 November 2025. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3HS.
- Thursday 11 December 2025. Greenways Primary School, Greenways, Southend-On-Sea SS1 3BS.
You do not need to book, just drop-in when available between 9 and 11am.
|
|
|
Southend Careers Service (SCS)
Southend Careers Service (SCS) has expanded support for all ages, including tailored careers guidance in SEND schools and their new Careers Hub at the Forum Library every Friday.
They continue their trusted work in schools and with partners, while growing across Essex. Visit us at The Careers Hub or connect with us to learn more!
|
|
|
SEND Routemaps
We have simplified complex information into easy-to-follow visual guides called routemaps.
These resources are designed to help you navigate the various SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) processes across education, health, and social care.
|
|
|
 |
|
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. Read about their updates, upcoming projects and activities:
|
|
|
Share your feedback with the Local Offer Team
The Local Offer engagement page on Your Say Southend offers a space where you can share your feedback and help us improve services and the Local Offer for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) and their families in Southend-on-Sea:
Take a few minutes to answer our surveys about the Local Offer, Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA), and annual reviews and more. Get involved!
|
|
|
Subscribe to the SEND Area Partnership newsletter!
 |
|
Southend SEND Partnership Newsletter is your monthly source of SEND information and support in Southend-on-Sea.
This newsletter is from the Southend SEND Partnership, made up of organisations and services dedicated to supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in Southend-on-Sea.
Make sure you subscribe!
|
|
|
|
|
|
