Southend SEND Area Partnership letter about proposed Government SEND Reforms

February 27, 2026

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:



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

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.