Southend-on-Sea City Council are pleased to have awarded Short Breaks funding to 10 local organisations to provide activities for Southend children and young people with disabilities.

A range of fun, inclusive things to do are available including cooking, arts and crafts, bouldering, padel, days out, youth clubs, stay and play groups, and after school and holiday clubs.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme runs until 28 August 2026, and eligible pupils can book up to 16 days of activities.

Approved providers deliver a programme where children and young people can try new activities, have fun and learn new skills.

Looking for fun activities this summer?

We've put together a list of activities and events taking place across Southend-on-Sea and surrounding areas for children and young people with SEND, and their families.

GCSE, careers and post-16 options information event for electively home educated young people in Years 8 to 11 and their parent carers

Come along for information, advice and guidance on a range of topics.

Due to receive exam results soon? Are you seeking support to help you plan your next steps?

Alongside our Results Day Careers event on 21 August, Southend Careers Service are offering drop in face-to-face support sessions during week commencing 24 August for young people and their parents/carers to explore post 16 or post 18 options in education, training or employment. 

A huge congratulations to everyone who recently completed our Healthy Parent Carers programme!

We're delighted to hear from participants feedback that the programme has supported you as intended and that you've taken away practical skills and strategies to help prioritise your own health and wellbeing. Looking after yourself is so important, and we're so pleased to have been part of that journey.

We're excited to announce that bookings are now open for our next Healthy Parent Carers programme, beginning in September. If you'd like to join us, you can sign up via our website.

We're delighted to let you know that our SSIF Coffee Mornings will be returning to SAVS this September.

We can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces back for a relaxed morning of conversation, support and connection. To see the upcoming dates and find out more, visit our website.

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 hope the summer holidays have been kind to you so far, whatever they may look like for your family.

We know that for many families, the change in routine, additional pressures and juggling everyday life can make this time of year particularly challenging. If that's your reality, please remember to do what works best for your family. Every family is different, and there is no "right" way to navigate the holidays. Be kind to yourself, tune out the outside noise, and focus on what helps your family thrive.

SEND Surgeries are a welcoming space for parent carers to connect with different teams and services. All under one roof.

Ask questions, and get information and advice.

The Educational Psychology Team are running online and face to face workshops for parent carers until 19 August to support school transitions.

The Early Years SEND Support Service are running the Summercourt SEND Play and Development group throughout the summer.

On 12 August, the session will focus on supporting transitions for children starting school in September.

The Southend SEND Local Offer, on Livewell Southend, is your one-stop digital hub for information, advice, and details of local services across Southend-on-Sea for children and young people aged 0 to 25 and their families.

It brings together everything you need to know about SEND in one place.

Make sure you're following us on Facebook or Instagram.

Need advice on how to support your child? 

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

SEND and neurodiversity support in Essex helps children and young people who need additional support with their health, development, learning, or emotional wellbeing.

Information about services, referral pathways, and support available near you can be found in the local area section of this website.

An updated Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Community Offer has been published. This provides an overview of NHS and council-commissioned services available to children and young people living in Southend.

The Essex Mental Health Support Team are running free webinars this summer. Sessions focus on key topics to support young people’s mental health, helping you build confidence, learn practical strategies and feel more supported in your role.

If you have concerns about your child’s physical development or want expert advice on supporting their movement, come and see the NHS Children’s Physiotherapy team.

Their drop-in clinics for parents of children aged 0 to 5 provide quick screening and immediate advice.