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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.
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.
LATEST NEWS
We will be hosting a series of informal drop-in sessions for parent carers to share views and ask questions about the Government SEND reform proposals and consultation. The Government's Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving was published on Monday 23 February 2026. The Paper sets out proposed reforms to the schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England. The Government's consultation on the proposed reforms is open until 18 May. You can read the proposals and share your views here: SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space As Southend's Parent Carer Forum, we encourage parent carers to engage with the consultation. To support this, we are hosting informal drop‑in sessions where you can share your views and ask questions. All sessions will be held in Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend, SS2 6ER on the following dates: Friday 13 March, 9.30am to 10.30am Committee Room 2 Tuesday 17 March, 9.30am to 10.30am Committee Room 2 Monday 23 March, 12.30pm to 1.30pm Committee Room 3 Thursday 23 April, 10.30am to 11.30am Committee Room 7 Friday 1 May, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Committee Room 7 Monday 11 May, 10am to 11am, Committee Room 4 The Southend SEND Area Partnership are also hosting an information session about the proposed SEND reforms on Friday 17 April 9.30am to 10.30am at Southend Civic Centre (Jubilee Room). You can book a place on that event here .
The Southend SEND Area Partnership have issued a letter about the proposed Government SEND reforms and the consultation. You can read the letter in full here: 25 February 2026 Dear parent carers, The Government's Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving was published this week (Monday 23 February 2026). This White Paper sets out proposed reforms to the schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system in England. We expect more detail to become available over the coming weeks and will share further information with you as soon as we can. We understand that these announcements may create uncertainty for families of children and young people with SEND. We want to reassure you that nothing about the support you currently receive will change at this stage. These proposals are part of a national consultation, and no decisions have yet been finalised. Leaders from Southend-on-Sea City Council and the Integrated Care Board will now take time to carefully review the proposals so we can understand what they may mean for our local area. We are encouraged that the reforms aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND, with a commitment to ensuring the right resources are in place to deliver this. The improvement work the SEND Area Partnership has undertaken over the last three years places us in a good position to align with the principles set out in the reforms – early and fair support, delivered through collaborative working and shared accountability. The Government's consultation on the proposed reforms is now open and seeks feedback from everyone with an interest in SEND, including parents, carers, young people, and professionals. You can read the proposals and share your views here: SEND reform: putting children and young people first - Department for Education - Citizen Space The Partnership fully agrees that the voice of families must remain central as we consider these proposals and prepare our response to the consultation. As Southend's Parent Carer Forum, Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) encourages parents and carers to engage with the consultation to share your lived experiences as these are vital in shaping a system that truly reflects the needs of our children and young people. Throughout the consultation, SSIF are hosting informal in-person drop‑in sessions at Southend Civic Centre where you can share your views and ask questions. Drop-in session dates: Friday 13 March, 9.30am to 10.30am Committee Room 2 Tuesday 17 March, 9.30am to 10.30am Committee Room 2 Monday 23 March, 12.30pm to 1.30pm Committee Room 3 Thursday 23 April, 10.30am to 11.30am Committee Room 7 Friday 1 May, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Committee Room 7 Monday 11 May, 10am to 11am, Committee Room 4 The Partnership will also host an in-person information session on Friday 17 April 2026 at Southend Civic Centre (Jubilee Room) from 9.30am to 10.30am. Find out more and book your place through Eventbrite: SEND Reform Family Engagement session A further online session will be confirmed shortly. We encourage you to follow SSIF and the SEND Local Offer social media channels for updates: www.facebook.com/TheSSIF/ www.instagram.com/southendsendindependent www.facebook.com/SouthendCouncilSEND/ www.instagram.com/southendcouncilsend/ It is important to note that the new system is not expected to be enacted until 2029. In the meantime, the Southend Area Partnership focus will remain on continuing the improvements achieved so far and ensuring children and young people in Southend receive the support they need. Signatories: Michael Marks, Executive Director, Children and Public Health, Southend-on-Sea City Council Dr Giles Thorpe, Executive Chief Nursing Officer, Mid and South Essex ICB Philomena Johnson, Strategic Lead for Education and Social Care, Southend SEND Independent Forum Samantha Delve, Strategic Lead for Health, Southend SEND Independent Forum
We were pleased to recently attend the official opening of three new Autism Resource Bases (ARBs) at Blenheim Primary School, Thorpedene Primary School and Shoeburyness High School. These new provisions mark an important step forward in strengthening SEND support across Southend. The ARBs have been purpose-built to provide specialist support for children with autism within a mainstream school environment. They offer calm, supportive spaces where children can access tailored help, while also having opportunities to learn and socialise alongside their peers in mainstream settings. This approach helps combine specialist provision with inclusion, supporting both learning and wellbeing. It’s encouraging to see continued investment in local SEND services, particularly provision that allows more children and young people to receive the support they need closer to home. For many families, being able to access specialist education locally can make a real difference to daily life, routines and outcomes. As a Parent Carer Forum, we welcome these positive developments and recognise the importance of expanding specialist support within mainstream schools. We look forward to continuing to work alongside families, schools and the local authority to ensure children and young people with SEND are supported to thrive.
Representing Southend at the National Parent Carer Forums' Conference Some of our team recently travelled to Sheffield to attend the joint National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF) and Contact – For Families with Disabled Children National Conference for Parent Carer Forums. It was a really valuable day bringing together parent carer forums from across the country to learn from one another, share experiences, and discuss the future of SEND support. The conference provided a space for open and honest conversations about the current SEND landscape and the changes families are experiencing. There was a strong focus on SEND reform and alternative provision, alongside discussions about strengthening parent carer forums, building regional capacity, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Throughout the day, the importance of lived experience remained central — highlighting the need for clear communication, accountability and meaningful co-production with families. There was also a focus on improving access and inclusion through a mix of online and in-person approaches, recognising that different families need different ways to engage and be supported. We were pleased that senior representatives from the Department for Education joined the conference, including Claire Burton, Director for SEND and Alternative Provision, who spent the day listening to parent carers and taking part in workshops. The discussions highlighted both the challenges families continue to face and the commitment being made nationally to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. One of the most valuable parts of the day was the opportunity to meet directly with Minister Gould, Minister for School Standards. We were able to share real experiences and feedback from families in Southend, helping ensure that local voices are heard in national conversations about SEND policy and practice. It was encouraging to see the Minister engage with parent carers and reflect on the issues being raised. Alongside the formal sessions, it was great to connect with other parent carer forums from across the country, exchange ideas, and build supportive relationships. These connections are so important in strengthening our work locally and learning from what’s working well in other areas. Overall, it was a full and productive day of learning, discussion and collaboration. We’ll be bringing what we’ve learned back into our work in Southend to continue improving how we listen to families, represent parent carers, and work alongside local services to create positive change for children and young people with SEND.
UPCOMING EVENTS
🌟Southend SEND Information Day 🌟 Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF), and the Southend SEND Local Offer Team are delighted to invite parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), as well as professionals to our SEND Information Day. 📅 6 November 2025 🕘 9:00am to 3:00pm (drop in anytime) 📍 Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, SS2 6ER. Come and meet a wide range of local services and organisations who support SEND families across Southend-on-Sea at our SEND Marketplace. You'll be able to speak with teams including The Specialist Teaching Service, Educational Psychology Service, Early Years Team, and many more. There will also be talks on key topics: ▪ 10am to 11am: Transitions from the Children with Disabilities Team to adult social care ▪ 11.30am to 12.30pm: Health information session; Decision making; young people with additional needs ▪ 1pm to 2pm: Collaboration Counts: Supporting your young person with SEND in education No booking needed, just drop-in at a time that suits you. Free tea, coffee and water will be available. Food can be bought from the Civic Centre cafe, or people are welcome to bring their own. Civic Centre parking is limited, so attendees are advised to use public transport or town centre car parks. Please note, the event is for adults and there will not be a creche provision or activities for children. The marketplace is open to all, but we kindly ask that babies and young children are not brought into the information sessions. Please contact the Local Offer Team at localoffer@southend.gov.uk with any questions. We look forward to welcoming you! Visit the Livewell site for more information.
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.
Transitions in Education
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!
