We're proud and delighted to announce that the work of two Southend-on-Sea City Council teams, and the SEND Parent Carer Forum, have been shortlisted for the 2026 Council for Disabled Children 'What Works in SEND' Awards.

The Government's Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving was published on 23 February 2026. It sets out proposed reforms to the schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England.

The Government is consulting on the proposals until 18 May 2026.

The Southend SEND Area Partnership have issued a letter about the proposed reforms and consultation.

Southend families are invited to an information session on 17 April (9.30am to 10.30am).

SSIF, the Parent Carer Forum, are also hosting drop-in sessions throughout the consultation period, where parent carers can share their views and ask questions.

We’re currently building our response to the SEND Reform consultation and would really love to hear what matters most to you. Join us at one of our drop-in sessions or come along to our usual coffee mornings to share your thoughts. Find details of the engagement sessions.

Please note our coffee morning venue is temporarily changing, you can find the updated details here. We’ll be returning to SAVS in September.

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

UK Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 runs from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 March, celebrating and supporting neurodivergent individuals across schools, universities, and workplaces.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week focuses on:

• recognising diverse thinking styles such as Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD, and more
• creating inclusive environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive
• sharing lived experiences to educate and inspire communities
• promoting organisational change through leadership, systems change, and scaling inclusion

Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF), and the SEND Local Offer Team invite parent carers and professionals to our 2nd SEND Information Day.

Join us for an information packed day! Meet local support services and teams and listen to informative talks.

Pre-register and get information about the event sent direct to your inbox to help you plan your visit!

Southend Educational Psychology Service recently supported a local setting to develop their transition offer, led by one of our trainee Educational Psychologists. Following this, council teams and education settings came together to explore challenges for SEND pupils and strengthen multi‑agency collaboration.

The session identified key strengths and development areas, reinforcing our shared commitment to inclusive, positive transitions. The S-Well team have been working hard on developing guidance for schools in producing virtual transition videos.

Keep an eye out for this on the Southend Learning Network (SLN) website and social media.

We’re proud to have a Cubbie installed in the shopping centre, a calm, welcoming space available to everyone.

It’s ideal for sensory regulation, quiet breaks, or a moment to reset during busy visits. Whether you need calm, comfort or space, the Cubbie is here for you.

Southend’s Preparing for Adulthood Advisor is hosting a series of online webinars designed to build practical knowledge and confidence around Preparing for Adulthood outcomes and transition pathways for young people with SEND.

The first webinar: “Preparing for Adulthood, what it means and why it matters” is on 19 March, 6pm to 7pm (final few places remaining), but there are still plenty of places on the other webinars.

Don’t miss out if you’re a young person with SEND, a parent carer or family member, or a professional.

Southend-on-Sea City Council, Essex County Council and Thurrock Council welcome young people with SEND, parent carers and employers to a vibrant event dedicated to celebrating partnerships between education, local employers and our SEND community. 

The Southend-on-Sea City Council Preparing for Adulthood Strategy has been finalised.

The strategy sets out the Council’s vision and priorities for supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with and without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), as they transition from childhood into adulthood.

The strategy, which was developed through co-production with young people, parents/carers, education, health, social care and the voluntary sector was well received when it was presented to Councillors.

An action plan has been developed to accompany the strategy. This is fluid, with the intention that it will evolve over time in response to the needs of local young people and their families. Feedback is welcomed. Contact Kate Clarke, Preparing for Adulthood Advisor at kateclarke@southend.gov.uk

Join us for our next SEND Surgery! This is a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with a variety of Health and Education services.

No need to book, just drop in whenever you can. All Southend families are welcome!

• Tuesday, 24 March from 9 to 11am
• Fairways Primary School, The Fairway, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4QW

We are delighted to share that HAF bookings are now open!

The HAF programme is for pupils who get Benefits Related Free School Meals. Eligible pupils can attend up to 4 days over the Easter holidays. Eequ booking system will recognise eligible pupils.

Check out the HAF providers who are delivering this Easter and register.

Eligible parents can get up to 15 hours per week (570 hours per year) funded early learning for their 2 year old child.

Giving a 2-year-old a head start in learning can be great for their future. Early years education can help little ones make friends and play, developing their social and practical skills in a safe place that works alongside what parents do at home.

Whilst working closely with SENDIASS, The Specialist Teaching team have been able to offer schools sensory circuit training and floor stickers to help children regulate and get ready for learning.

Watch our video to see the benefits sensory circuits can have on children at school or at home.

JINGAS is a weekly session at Shoebury Youth Centre for young people aged 11 to 16 with SEND. Activities include multi sports, arts and crafts, educational workshops, trips and holiday programmes. It runs on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

SEND Social at Cluny Youth Club, St Luke Hub runs on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm and is aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25. Activities include arts and crafts, cookery, trips, and life skills workshops.

We are excited to announce two major developments designed to strengthen early years support for children under five with emerging or identified SEND needs.

These initiatives focus on early intervention and ensuring families can access the right help as soon as they need it.

The Lighthouse Child Development Centre has a range of support lines for parent carers.

Need advice on how to support your child? Call a Lighthouse Child Development Centre support line.

Find the list of helplines on Livewell Southend.

If you have concerns about your child’s physical development or want expert advice on supporting their movement, join the NHS Children’s Physiotherapy team at their upcoming drop-in sessions. 

These clinics are designed for parents of children aged 0 to 5 who require guidance on mobility or walking patterns.

We are also thrilled to unveil a brand-new range of toys at The Lighthouse! Thanks to a generous grant from the EPUT charitable funds, we now have exciting new toys to support children of all ages and developmental stages.

The Lighthouse team is holding a number of Autism and ADHD support sessions for families in Southend, Essex and surrounding areas.

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

Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) are asking families, children and young people for feedback on their experiences of health services across Mid and South Essex.