SEND Guidance for Schools

Through a lengthy co-design process in 2018-2019, 'Southend SEND: Shared Expectations' was developed for professionals in schools and settings across Southend. It was ratified by Southend's Education Board and is in line with the agreed 'SEND Review' protocol for Southend schools.

This guidance was produced following extensive conversations with Southend pupils with SEND, their parents, and carers, as well as professionals, stakeholders and partners from the cross services of Education, Health and Social Care.

Responses were also provided through a range of other methods including surveys sent to schools, parents and carers, face to face focus groups and meetings. This feedback provided a rich source of information from which the shared expectations have been developed.

Five themes were identified and 'tested' through this co-design process which are

1. 'I, my parent or carer, are involved and our views are listened to',
2. 'I am included and have opportunities like my peers',
3. 'I know who to go to for help and they can support me',
4. 'I know the pathways to get help and what to expect' and
5. 'I am successful in my journey through childhood to adulthood'.

These themes provide structure for the outcomes and expectations that we want to achieve.

This guidance has been refreshed in 2022 so to be in line with existing terminology and structures across Southend, for example, new commissioning arrangements for outreach services.

It is not 'new' guidance but is now termed 'Southend SEND: review and self-evaluation', for clarity and given that this is what it has primarily been used for by professionals across the city. It continues to provide a framework that enables professionals, such as school leaders, SENCOs and the Local Authority, to evaluate the effectiveness of current SEND provision.

This guide is what is expected to take place in ALL Southend schools, irrespective of status. It meets statutory requirements in the 'Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years' (DfE January 2015), local expectations agreed across Southend and requirements in the Ofsted framework.

The guidance will:

• meet the requirements of the universal offer so schools know what is expected to be in place and what schools need to do for all pupils
• reflect a graduated approach to ensure greater consistency across all Southend schools around the support put in place if a child or young person needs more help to reach their full potential
• ensure there is greater consistency across all schools when moving from the universal offer to SEN Support and through the graduated response to help with decision making for all pupil needs or where provision is additional to or different from others of the same age
• support judgements being made against what is expected for targeted and specialist support

It aligns with Southend's vision for children and young people in schools with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and which is the same as for all other pupils:

• that they are fully included in their school communities,
• that they achieve well and
• that they are well prepared throughout their childhood in the transition to an adulthood where they lead happy and fulfilled lives.

If you are a pupil or family member and have questions about this guidance or want to know more, such as around the 5 themes, why or how it is used in school then please speak to the SENCO at your school or setting.

If you have any general comments about this guidance, please contact LocalOffer@southend.gov.uk.