Support for parent carers of children and young people with SEND

Support for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND

SEND Surgeries

The Southend Council SEND Team run friendly, monthly drop-in SEND Surgeries for parent carers. Come along to ask questions and get support and advice.

Carers assessments

  • a parent carer needs assessment can be requested if you are looking after a child or young person under 18
  • if you provide unpaid care for someone over 18 who is disabled, ill or elderly you are entitled to a carers assessment
  • a young carer's needs assessment can be requested if you are under 18 and help to look after or support someone

Carers assessment information.

Carers support

Carers First offer support, help and advice for unpaid carers. This includes a young carers service for those aged 5 to 18.

Young carers (aged under 18) can also attend Cool Club and Chil Club.

Kinship is a national charity providing support for kinship carers - those who look after a relative or friend's child full time.

Support from the Lighthouse Child Development Centre

The Lighthouse has a range of telephone support lines for parent carers, providing easy access to advice.

They also offer a range of ASD and ADHD workshops and support sessions for families and teenagers following an ADHD diagnosis, and sleep workshops.

Looking after yourself as a carer

Advice and information from Carers First

Self-Care for parents and carers from the Anna Freud Centre

The Southend Neurodevelopmental Guide and the Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child guide have some helpful information

The Contact Listening Ear service provides one to one emotional support telephone appointments

Meeting other parent carers and support groups and helpful organisations

Talking to other parent carers can help. Find a selection of local support groups and organisations here.

National support organisations.

Southend Best Start Family Hubs provide a range of services and support.

City Family is a community-based service available to any family living in Southend with a child under 11 or a baby on the way. They offer a range of supportive services designed to strengthen families and build community connections.

Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) are the Parent Carer Forum for SEND families in Southend. They work with the Council, NHS and other partners to represent the voice of parents, carers and their children. They run monthly coffee and chat sessions.

Independent advice and support for SEND

SENDIASS Southend provide children and young people and parent carers with impartial information, advice and support so they can make informed decisions about matters relating to their SEND.

Families of children under 5

You may be able to get support from the Early Years SEND Support Service. The team run a Play and Development Group for under 5s with SEND and the Southend Early Autism Support (SEAS) course.

Southend Best Start Family Hubs offer a variety of free sessions, services and courses for all children aged 0 to 5 years and their families. Visit their website to find out more.

Short Breaks and respite

Short Breaks are fun, interesting and safe activities for children and young people with disabilities:

  • children benefit from new interests, relationships and activities
  • parents can attend to their physical and mental wellbeing and maintain and develop social networks

Read about Short Breaks, contact Childrens Social Care on 01702 215007 or email ShortBreaks@southend.gov.uk

You may also find information about Direct Payments useful.

Financial support and benefits

The money, housing and legal section of the Local Offer has a range of information including finance and benefits advice; and lists support organisations.

You can also find information about Carers Allowance on GOV.UK

Free and low-cost workshops for parent carers

Tips and hints for days out

The Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child guide has an out and about section.

Resources

Other information on the Local Offer