"Attendance Matters" - but its not that simple!

September 5, 2025

“School Attendance Matters” but its not that simple!


We know that that in recent years, at this time of year, social media and sometimes the news outlets too, become awash with campaigns relating to attendance at school and that this can be really distressing for some Parent Carers.


Unfortunately, in the information widely circulating there is no clarity in how this affects children and young people with medical conditions, serious mental health challenges, or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).


As Parent Carers, our first instinct is always to protect our children and young people. Many of us are navigating incredibly complex situations, where our children maybe want to attend school but the reality of doing so is far from simple. It can feel deeply unfair to then open social media and be confronted with campaigns suggesting that not being in school will damage our child or young person’s future. When you’re already doing everything, you can to support your child – often against huge challenges - messages like these don’t feel supportive. Instead, they leave us feeling blamed, judged, or as though we aren’t doing enough. When in reality, we are working tirelessly to give our children and young people the best chance in life!


We know there can sometimes be so much information that you don’t know where to turn but we thought it would be helpful to share some websites and information to find out more. 


We know that it is long but we have attached the “Working together to improve School Attendance” guidance document here and in particular the section relating to our families can be found at the end of Paragraph 2, pages 23-26. The guidance acknowledges that children and young people with long-term medical conditions, serious mental health challenges, or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can face extra barriers when it comes to school attendance. Schools are encouraged to have compassionate conversations with families in these situations, recognising that it isn’t always straightforward.


If your child or young person struggles with school-based avoidance the first step we would encourage you to take is to reach out to their class teacher, SENDco or sometimes if available, the school mental health lead. 


If you feel that you aren’t being supported, the Local Offer have lots of information available on their website which can be found here, including links to books and apps that may be useful and details of who you can speak to, for example, the Access and Inclusion Team.


SENDIASS also offer resources on their website with useful information about support available. Their information can be found here.


Young Minds is a charity offering advice and information to give young people the tools to look after their mental health. They also aim to empower parents and professionals to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. You can find lots of resources on their website here.


Similarly, Kids Inspire is a mental health charity that offers personalised recovery plans for children and families who have experienced trauma and have lots of information and resources on their website which can be found here.


If your child or young person is experiencing high anxiety or very poor mental health we would strongly encourage you to speak with your GP to seek further support.



If you feel able to, we would be grateful to hear about your experiences, please use our family feedback form on our website or better still come along and see us at one of our Coffee mornings! 😊

Southend SEND Independent Forum Response to the SEND Reform Consultation

May 19, 2026
We know that many parent carers across Southend share the same frustrations when it comes to accessing the right support for children and young people with SEND. Southend SEND Independent Forum has submitted a detailed response to the Government’s SEND Reform Consultation, drawing directly on the lived experiences of local families.  Our submission has been shaped by the experiences, views, and feedback shared by parent carers across Southend. Through conversations with families, community engagement, online discussions, and direct feedback, we have highlighted the challenges many children and young people with SEND continue to face, alongside practical recommendations for improving support and outcomes. We would like to thank every parent carer who took the time to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas. Your voices have been central in helping us reflect the realities facing families in Southend and strengthen this response. Our response highlights the areas that parent carers tell us matter most — including early identification and support, inclusive mainstream education, EHCPs, transitions, communication with families, and genuine co-production. It also sets out practical recommendations for creating a SEND system that is more consistent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children, young people, and their families. While there are examples of good practice, families continue to face significant challenges in securing timely and appropriate support. We believe meaningful reform must focus on improving outcomes, reducing inequalities, and ensuring children and young people with SEND can access education and opportunities on an equal footing with their peers. You can read our full consultation response here:

Healthy Parent Carer Programme

May 5, 2026
Healthy Parent Carer Programme – Booking Now Open! We’re so pleased to share that SSIF has been accredited to deliver a brand-new 6-week programme dedicated entirely to your health and wellbeing. As parent carers, you spend so much time looking after everyone else. This programme is a chance to focus on you — to breathe, recharge, and connect with others who truly understand your journey. Starts Monday 8th June 2026 Only 14 spaces are available to keep the group supportive and personal. Over the 6 weeks, we’ll explore ways to: Make time for yourself Connect with other parent carers Learn simple self-care and stress-management strategies Prioritise your own wellbeing Find a little more calm and balance Our sessions are run for Parent Carers, by Parent Carers — a safe, understanding space where your wellbeing really matters. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided, and there’s an onsite café at the Civic Centre. Parking can be limited, so please allow extra time if you're driving. To help you truly switch off and focus on yourself, babies and children can’t be accommodated during the course. Find out more: www.healthyparentcarers.org Book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../healthy-parent-carers-6... - Or Scan the QR Code on the poster.

Southend-on-Sea takes home a National SEND Award 2026!

May 5, 2026
Southend-on-Sea takes home a National SEND Award 2026! We are incredibly proud to share 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. This national recognition celebrates the power of partnership and a shared commitment to improving how families access information and support. At the heart of this achievement are Southend families. Everything we do is shaped by listening, learning, and working alongside parent carers to make sure information is not only available, but genuinely accessible and meaningful. From co-produced resources and varied communication formats, to opportunities for face-to-face conversations, our focus has always been on making it easier for families to find the right support at the right time. This award reflects the dedication, passion and collaboration of everyone involved — from families and practitioners to local partners who continue to champion inclusive communication across our community. It’s a reminder of what can be achieved when we work together with a shared purpose. We would also like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the award finalists. The stories, projects and innovations shared were truly inspiring and highlight the incredible work happening across the country to support children and young people with SEND and their families.  We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue strengthening the way we work alongside families, improving how information is shared and ensuring support is easier to access for everyone who needs it.

SEND Reform Engagement Event - 17th April 2026

April 17, 2026
The SEND Partnership hosted an information Event today and presented an overview of the key proposed changes, highlighting the areas the government is consulting on, and empowering parent carers with the information needed to share their views with confidence. We're pleased to share the presentation slides for parent carers who would like to revisit the information or find out more about the proposed changes. SEND Reform Information Day Slides. We hope that those who attended found the session informative and helpful in explaining the SEND reform proposals. Your views are incredibly important. We are continuing to gather feedback from parent carers through our survey, which will help shape our formal response to the SEND White Paper. We would really value hearing from as many parent carers as possible. Complete the survey. We would also encourage you to share your views directly with the government too by responding to the official consultation, so your voice is heard at a national level as well. Government Consultation . Thank you for your continued support and engagement.