Developing and agreeing the priorities
Where we want to be
Working with children and young people at the Southend SEND Youth Forum and members of the Southend Youth Council, the key themes from all engagement sessions were discussed and prioritised. These key priorities highlighted by children, young people and their families in Southend-on Sea, are identified as follows:
Priority area: enhanced employability and education pathways:
- increased work experience and vocational study options
- improved career guidance and supported employment opportunities
What this should look like:
- increased workplace opportunities: Building long-term relationships with inclusive employers, help businesses to understand how to support children and young people with SEND effectively, ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place in the workplace
- enhanced careers guidance and advice: Enhancing career services to help individuals make informed decisions about their future, using vocational profiling and multiple meetings at earlier stages in their education
- more supported employment opportunities: Creating more job opportunities with support for individuals who need it, such as those with disabilities. Providing more internships, apprenticeships, and supported job placements to help individuals gain practical skills
Priority area: improved health and wellbeing:
- better access to mental health services and health advice
- clearer pathways for transitioning between health services
What this should look like:
- access to mental health services and support: Children and young people should have timely access to mental health services, with clear, consistent pathways that continue seamlessly into adulthood. No young person should experience a sudden loss of support at age 18
- alternative and bridging support pathways: families and children and young people should receive clear, accessible information about available support and how to access it. Bridging services should be in place to prevent gaps in care, particularly during transitions between child and adult services
- reliable health advice and guidance: Children and young people and their families should have access to consistent, high-quality health information and advice, regardless of which service or professional they engage with. This includes proactive support, not just signposting
- collaboration between services: Transition planning should begin in Year 9 and be person-centred, with regular reviews and shared accountability across health, education, and social care. Outcomes should be clearly defined and jointly owned
- application of the THRIVE Framework: All services should consistently apply the THRIVE Framework to ensure a structured, needs-based approach to mental health support. Professionals and families should be aware of the framework and how it guides care
Priority area: inclusive community participation:
- promotion of inclusivity and awareness of leisure activities
- encouragement of positive participation in local communities
What this should look like:
- being part of an inclusive city: Community spaces, events, and services are designed to be welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities. Local organisations and service providers actively promote inclusive language, representation, and practices. Residents feel a sense of belonging and safety in their neighbourhoods, with opportunities to connect across cultures and experiences. Cross-agency collaboration ensures consistent messaging and shared values across services
- greater awareness and access to leisure activities in the local community: Leisure opportunities (e.g. sports, arts, cultural events, clubs) are widely promoted through accessible channels such as The SEND Local Offer, social media, and newsletters. Activities are scheduled at varied times and locations to accommodate different needs (e.g. working parents, older adults, people with disabilities). Subsidies such as the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, short breaks offer, transport support, are reviewed and monitored regularly to ensure they are available and being used by those in most need and to remove barriers to participation
- having positive participation in local communities: Residents are encouraged and supported to take part in volunteering, local decision-making, and community-led initiatives. Schools, youth groups, and local services collaborate to foster civic pride and intergenerational engagement. Feedback from residents and consistent data collection are used to shape services and ensure they reflect the needs and experiences of the community
Priority area: greater independence:
- support and training for independent travel
- empowerment through choice and secure environments
What this should look like:
- support and training for independent travel: Children and young people will have access to a structured, person-centred travel training programs to help individuals travel independently
- having choices and independence on preferred pathways: Children and young people will feel empowered and equipped to make their own decisions regarding their future. Professionals will use consistent person-centred approaches to ensure individuals are actively involved in setting their own goals, choosing activities, and shaping their support plans
- having flexible pathways: There will be a range of options for education, employment, volunteering, and community engagement that reflect individual interests and aspirations
Priority 1:
Expand inclusive career pathways for children and young people with SEND through early engagement, employer partnerships, and practical work opportunities.
Priority 2:
Improve access and continuity in specialist post-16 education and training to reduce NEET (not in employment, education or training) rates and support smoother transitions.
Priority 3:
Ensure timely, seamless access to mental health services and clear, consistent information for children, young people, and families, applying the THRIVE Framework across all services.
Priority 4:
Embed person-centred transition planning from Year 9 with shared accountability across health, education, and social care, supported by proactive, high-quality advice and defined outcomes.
Priority 5:
Ensure children and young people, including those with SEND, can easily access clear, inclusive leisure information through accessible channels, with affordable options and varied activities that meet diverse needs.
Priority 6:
Empower children and young people to achieve independence through structured travel training, person-centred planning, and access to diverse education, employment, and community opportunities that reflect individual aspirations.