Book your FREE ticket to our next Seminar - SSIF Seminar; Educational Transitions - 23rd June 2025.

TOGETHER WE CAN

MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE

We want greater transparency so that all parents and carers understand what services are available to them and how they can gain access.

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Discover how we work, why we do it, the change we make and why we need you

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE INDEPENDENT?

It means that we have no bias to any service or department, we can speak freely about what is working and what is failing in our SEND community. We can act as a critical friend without prejudice to the local authority and various boards and services, as and when they make decisions. We can raise concerns and divert attention to how these decisions will directly impact our families, we can steer change realistically with high expectations and equality for all. We are included in the vote to agree or disagree with how services are to be created and amended. Our job is to be specific and realistic with the various departments we encounter. Our independence means that we can explain to our community what decisions have been made and why.

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LATEST NEWS

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NHS Mid and South Essex ADHD Medication Update

May 20, 2025
UPDATE ON ADHD PRESCRIBING AND MONITORING IN MID AND SOUTH ESSEX

NNPCF attend a Roundtable meeting with Minister McKinnell, Minister of Education

March 14, 2025
The NNPCF together with other Stakeholders attended a Roundtable meeting this week with Minister McKinnel, the Minister of Education which focused on Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing speculation surrounding SEND and Inclusive Education. The Minister shared insights into the government’s direction and engaged with key stakeholders. Read more about the meeting.

NNPCF Announcement on NHS England being brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care

March 14, 2025
SSIF are members of the National Network of Parent Carers (NNPCF). The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the government plans to abolish NHS England and bring it into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the government believe that this will remove a layer of bureaucracy and will eliminate duplication between DHSE and NHSE. NNPCF have delivered a statement in response to the announcement confirming what work they intend to do to represent the voices of ParentCarers and children and young people with SEND. Read both the press release and the NNPCF statement.

Contact & NNPCF Joint in-person Conference 4th February 2025

March 6, 2025
Highlights film now available! SSIF attended the Contact & NNPCF Joint in-person Conference on Tuesday 4th February 2025 at the Mercure Northampton. It was fantastic to catch up with other Parent Carer Forum's nationally to share ideas and experiences, discuss best practise and learn more about what is happening in other areas. Watch the Highlights film from the day . We are so pleased to have attended and found it incredibly valuable, we are already looking forward to next year!

UPCOMING EVENTS

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SSIF Seminar - Educational Transitions - 23rd June 2025

May 27, 2025
Transitions in Education
A poster for a drop-in fridays event.

DROP-IN FRIDAYS. Come and meet your ParentCarer Forum

March 10, 2025
We know that some of you have shared that coffee mornings can be difficult to attend so we have organised a Drop-In Event once every half term. The session is open to everyone, ParentCarers looking to find out more about what the Forum does, professionals who want to understand our role and those who would just like to join us for a hot drink and a natter. We will be sharing the dates of the sessions on our social media channels so be on the lookout for future dates. We look forward to seeing you there!
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SSIF Coffee Mornings

February 28, 2025
One of our favourite Events is our regular monthly coffee morning, where Parent Carers can get together to share their experiences. Every month we have the Local Offer team with us and invite 1 or 2 additional special guests from for example Health, Social Care, Education and more, to offer guidance and advice. There is also a sensory play creche available for your little ones aged 0-5 with Chaos & Calm. Come along and chat to other ParentCarers, get advice from one of our SEND support service guests and enjoy a hot drink with something sweet. Booking is not required.
A poster for seminars in 2025 with a qr code on it.

SSIF Seminars 2025

November 10, 2024
We host in-person Seminars at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER, covering a wide range of SEND related topics. We invite a varied panel of professionals to provide information and guidance to ParentCarers of children and young people with SEND (aged 0-25). Our events are hosted together with guest speakers from the Local Authority, Health Services, Education Services and more. Save the dates for our upcoming Seminars in 2025! We will release further details and confirm guest speakers nearer the time.