Pre-register now! Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF), and the SEND Local Offer Team are excited to invite parent carers and professionals to our 2nd SEND Information Day taking place next Tuesday at the Civic Centre (9.30am to 2.30pm).

Join us for an information packed day! Meet around 70 local support services and teams and listen to information talks about education, health and social care.

Drop-in on the day or pre-register and have information about the event emailed directly to you to help you plan your visit.

We are delighted to share that HAF bookings will open on Wednesday 17 June 2026. The HAF programme is for pupils who get Benefits Related Free School Meals. Eligible pupils can attend up to 16 days over the summer holidays. The Eequ booking system will recognise eligible pupils.

The HAF page on Livewell Southend will soon announce the list of providers. 

Secondary schools in the City of Southend hold events for year 5 pupils and their parents/carers. This is for admission to year 7 in September 2027.

The dates and times listed on this page are as provided by the schools. If you have any enquiries about the arrangements for these events these should be directed to the school(s).

Many primary schools also run information sessions for parents to assist them in the secondary admissions process. Where possible we advise parents to visit as many secondary schools as they can, obtain their prospectus and read the admission criteria before completing the Common Application Form.

Join us at Belfairs Woods this Saturday evening for a fun, audience-judged choir competition!

When: Saturday 13 June from 6.30pm to 9.00pm

Where: Outside the Belfairs Wood Visitor Centre

The lineup: Love2Sign BSL signing choir, followed by The Waterside Choir and The Fishermen’s Chapel Gospel Choir.

Bring your own camping chairs, blankets, and a picnic. The on-site café will also be open. Free admission. A collection will be taken at the end to support the centre's awning fund.

Your applause decides the winner, so come along and cheer for your favourites!

The annual Southend Feel Good Festival is back on Saturday, 8 August at Garon Park.

Organised by Everyone Health in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council, this completely free family-friendly event runs from 10.30am to 4.00pm.

Expect free bouncy castles, live performances, active zones, and over 70 local health, wellness, and food stalls. Bring a picnic blanket and your loved ones for a brilliant day out. No tickets required, just turn up and enjoy!

Whether you would prefer to view our website in your own language, or you are a professional supporting families who speak English as an additional language, we’re here to help. It is quick and easy to translate all the content on Livewell Southend, and many other websites, into the language of your choice.

This week, we were delighted to welcome a new cohort of parent carers to our second Healthy Parent Carer Programme.

The programme gives parent carers the opportunity to take some time for themselves, connect with others who share similar experiences, and learn practical tips and strategies to support their own wellbeing. If you're interested in taking part in our next programme, please get in touch at southendsendindependentforum@gmail.com.

One of our current priorities is gathering feedback about local mental health support for children and young people in Southend, and we would love to hear about your experiences.

Your feedback will help us understand what is working well and where improvements are needed. We've created a blog on our website with more information and links to our family feedback survey.

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

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 Friday 26 June 2026 at Cecil Jones Academy.

There’s no need to book, just drop-in anytime between 9am and 11am. Your child does not need to be attending school, or attending Cecil Jones for you to come along. Any parent carer is welcome.

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

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.

Is your child preparing for a big school move? The Specialist Teaching Service is running transition workshops this month to help make the move as smooth as possible.

Primary to Secondary transition workshops (online): Designed for parent-carers to help you support your child as they move up to secondary school.

Reception to Year 1 transition session (face-to-face): a dedicated session for children moving into Year 1, hosted at Little Heroes, Garon Park.

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.

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.

There are 2 more webinars coming up. Both will be held online between 6pm to 7pm.

• From NEET to employment – strategies for engagement and success” on 25 June.
• EHCPs and support for young people with high needs in post-16 education on 9 July.

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

Booking is required.

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.

We've 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.

SNAP Charity offers a variety of survival guides designed to help families cope with the summer holidays, school transitions and more.

These guides provide key tips and ideas, along with useful information to make those sometimes difficult periods in the year a little easier.

Need advice on how to support your child? The Lighthouse Child Development Centre has support lines for parent carers covering the following areas/teams:

Autism, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language, Specialist Health Visitor.

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.