We are thrilled to announce that the Southend SEND Local Offer Team and Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) have jointly won the Council for Disabled Children 2026 award for Accessible and Inclusive Communications Strategy for SEND, recognising excellence in clear, inclusive, and co-produced communication across the SEND system.

Additionally, a massive congratulations goes out to the Southend SEND Therapies Team, who were named finalists for the Partnership for Inclusion (Local Authority and schools) award.

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.

Why not pre-register and get information about the event direct to your inbox to help you plan your visit?

Short Breaks are a vital resource designed to provide fun, safe, and enriching activities for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities across Southend-on-Sea.

Applications for the 2026/27 Short Breaks:

• Community Access Grants (for families): applications open on Monday 11 May 2026 and close at midnight on Monday 22 June 2026.
• Main Access Grants (for organisations and groups): applications are now open and close at midnight on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has launched a new, streamlined online application process for home-to-school and college travel assistance.

From 1 May, all applications will move to the Citizen Portal. This single digital system replaces the previous "My Southend" forms and email/paper-based forms.

Booking is now open for our new 6-week Healthy Parent Carer programme starting Monday 8 June 2026.

It’s a small, supportive space (14 places) created by parent carers, for parent carers. It's a chance to pause, recharge, connect, and focus on your own wellbeing. Expect simple self-care tools, shared understanding, and a welcoming environment (with tea, coffee and biscuits too).

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

We will be hosting the last in a series of informal drop-in sessions for parent carers to share their views and ask questions about the Government’s SEND reform proposals and consultation on the 11 May 2026 from 10am to 11am at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6ER.

These sessions are a chance to have your voice heard in a relaxed setting and to talk through any concerns or ideas you may have.

Are you a parent carer of a child or young person with SEND? Need some advice?

Come along to our next friendly SEND Surgery on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at Thorpedene Primary School and Nursery.

There’s no need to book, just drop-in anytime between 9am and 11am.

Visit the Local Offer for further information including details of what services will be in attendance, and to see what other parents have said about SEND Surgeries.

Tiny Talkers is a free, fun and engaging 5 session programme for any Southend parents and carers with babies aged 3 to 9 months.

Each weekly session offers dedicated time to engage and play together, whilst learning tips and strategies for supporting the development of babies' speech, language and communication skills.

Mini Talkers is a referral-only group for 2 to 4 year olds who need some gentle support with their communication skills.

It is delivered jointly by a Speech and Language Therapist and the Early Years SEND Adviser, providing practical strategies for parents to support early communication at home; fun, play-based activities that build children's speech, language, and attention skills and more.

The Early Years SEND Support Service offer a Play and Development Group for parent carers of children with SEND aged 0 to 5 in Southend-on-Sea.

The stay and play sessions are designed to support you and your child with a variety of play and sensory experiences. A range of different services also join the sessions to provide support and information.

The Early Years SEND Team are holding a one-off 'Under the Sea' themed session for families of SEND children (0 to 5 yrs).

As part of this session, we are also going to be showcasing a new 'sensory room' for children and families to explore.

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 next webinar: “Navigating adult social care – preparing young people and families” takes place online on Thursday 14 May, 6pm to 7pm.

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

Ready to Work is a targeted engagement programme for young people aged 16 to 19 (or up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities) who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).

The programme supports the return to education, training or work.

Southend-on-Sea City Council are hosting a career’s day for young people with SEND, Looked after Children, Electively Home Educated young people and young people with SEND who are not in education, employment or training.

Young people will be able to access the day through their schools who will be invited to the event. Young people who are not in school or unable to attend via their school are welcome to attend with parents/carers at a time suitable to them.

The Southend Educational Psychology Team is offering online and face to face workshops to help parents through important school milestones.

These sessions combine expert research with practical parenting tips to help you build your child's confidence and handle challenges with attendance.

Join us to learn new strategies, share your experiences, and support your child's wellbeing.

The Specialist Teaching Service is entering transition season, preparing to visit students identified by the Southend Early Years teams as they move into Year 1.

We are also running our successful Primary to Secondary transition project, supporting all EHCP Yr 6 students with school visits, transition days, online family sessions, and resources.

For details of all our Transition events and resources are in our padlet.

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

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

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.

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.