Southend SEND Independent Forum - 2023 Overview

Sometimes it helps just to sit down with people who understand , o ur monthly Coffee Mornings are a chance to meet other parent carers, share experiences, ask questions and enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether you're looking to meet other families, share experiences, ask questions or simply enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake with people who understand, our monthly Coffee Mornings are here for you. There's no set agenda and no pressure – just a relaxed, friendly space where you can chat as much or as little as you like. We know that everyone is on their own journey, and sometimes it helps just knowing you're in a room with people who 'get it'. Each month, we also invite professionals from education, health and social care to join us, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and access information in an informal setting. Our Local Offer team is always there too, helping families find the right support, services and advice. If you're a regular at our Coffee Mornings, we can't wait to catch up with you again. And if you've never joined us before, we'd love to welcome you. Come along, have a coffee, enjoy some cake, meet our team and connect with other parent carers – we'd love to see you. A quick note for those who have attended in the past: unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer the Chaos & Calm crèche at our coffee mornings. We can't wait to welcome you! Everyone is welcome, and there's no need to book – just come along!

Healthy Parent Carer Programme – Starting in September 2026 - Booking Now Open! Following the fantastic success of our recent Healthy Parent Carers programme, we're delighted to be opening bookings for our next course starting this September. We were thrilled to receive such positive feedback from participants, many of whom told us they had gained practical tools and strategies to help them prioritise their own health and wellbeing, alongside the demands of caring for their family. Taking time to look after yourself isn't always easy, but it is so important, and this programme is designed to support parent carers to build sustainable habits that benefit both themselves and their families. If you're ready to invest a little time in your own wellbeing, we'd love you to join us. Healthy Parent Carers is a 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 HERE  Or Scan the QR Code on the poster.

As another busy term comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a fantastic few months for SSIF and to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of it. Supporting Parent Carer Wellbeing Our Healthy Parent Carer Programme is coming to the end of another successful programme, and we'd like to thank every parent carer who signed up and took part. The programme was created to give parent carers the opportunity to make time for themselves, connect with others who understand the unique challenges of caring for a child or young person with SEND, learn practical self-care and stress management strategies, prioritise their own wellbeing, and find a little more calm and balance. Run by Parent Carers, for Parent Carers, these sessions provide a safe and supportive space where wellbeing really matters. We hope everyone who attended found the programme helpful and came away feeling supported and equipped with strategies they can continue to use long after the sessions have finished. Southend SEND Information Day 💙 What a day! In June, we proudly co-hosted our second Southend SEND Information Day alongside the Southend SEND Local Offer Team, welcoming more than 100 visitors from across Southend. The event brought together parent carers, education, health and social care professionals, representatives from the local authority, community organisations and the NHS to share information, answer questions and strengthen relationships across the SEND community. We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, as well as all of our fantastic stall holders who gave their time, knowledge and expertise to support families throughout the day. It was a privilege to facilitate so many meaningful conversations, helping families better understand the SEND system and the support available to them. If you attended one of our topic talks—or weren't able to make it on the day—you can still access the presentation slides here: Topic Slides Thank You for Your Contributions to the Area SEND Inspection We would also like to thank all of the parents, carers, children, young people and practitioners who contributed to the recent Area SEND Inspection. Whether you completed a survey or shared your experiences directly with inspectors, your willingness to speak openly and honestly has helped provide a meaningful picture of SEND services across our area. A special thank you goes to the children and young people who took part. Your voices matter, and it is so important that your experiences continue to shape the services designed to support you. To every parent and carer who took the time to contribute—thank you. Your insights and lived experiences are invaluable in helping drive positive change for SEND families across Southend. Wishing You All a Wonderful Summer ☀️ As we head into the summer holidays, we know this can mean very different things for every SEND family. For some, it brings excitement and opportunities to spend quality time together. For others, the change in routine can feel challenging or overwhelming. Whatever your summer looks like, we hope you'll remember that there is no "right" way to do the holidays. Try not to worry about expectations or comparisons—do what works best for your family. Sometimes the best days are the simplest ones. If you're looking for ideas over the summer, there are lots of fantastic resources and organisations offering activities, support and affordable days out. Some helpful places to start include: Southend SEND Local Offer Events & Activities – Find local events, activities and support available throughout the summer: https://www.livewellsouthend.com/events-activities CEA Card – If your child or young person needs additional support at the cinema, you may be eligible for a complimentary ticket for a carer: https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ Kids Eat Free & £1 Meals – Discover restaurants and cafés offering family-friendly meal deals during the holidays: https://moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free Southend Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme – If your child is eligible, there are lots of free activities available throughout the summer: https://www.livewellsouthend.com/activities/holiday-activities-food-programme-haf Access Card – The Access Card can help communicate your child or young person's access requirements at attractions and events, making visits easier and more inclusive: https://www.accesscard.online/ There are also some fantastic local organisations running events over the summer, including you can click on their name to take you to their Facebook profiles: Little Heroes Just Ride Southend Ronnie's Way Blossom SEND STRM (Send The Right Message) We'll continue sharing activities, events and opportunities that we come across on our social media channels throughout the summer, so be sure to keep an eye out. Finally, we'd like to wish every family a happy, restful and enjoyable summer break. However you choose to spend it, we hope you find moments of fun, laughter, connection and rest. We look forward to seeing you in September! 💙