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.
Young carers (aged under 18) can attend Cool Club and Chil Club.
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
Talking to other parent carers can help. Find a selection of local support groups and organisations here.
National support organisations.
Southend Family Centres provide a range of services and support.
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.
Free and low-cost workshops for parent carers
- The Lighthouse Child Development Centre run a range of ASD and ADHD support groups and workshops.
- Kids Autism Hub run weekly online support groups.
- Join events run by Autism Central.
- Events by Contact for Families with Disabled Children.
- Training and support from the Down's Syndrome Association.
- Tourettes Action run low-cost webinars. Check the news section on this page.
- The Council for Disabled Children e-learning platform.
- Webinars by the British Dyslexia Association.
Book recommendations and resources
Parent carers have shared book and recource recommendations with us.
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.
City Family provide a range of support.
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 here, contact Childrens Social Care on 01702 215007 or email ShortBreaks@southend.gov.uk
You may also find this information about Direct Payments useful: Children with Disabilities - Direct Payments
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
Tips and hints for days out
A parent asked us for this information. Here are a selection of resources you may find helpful:
The Lighthouse has a social story example for planning an outing.
The Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child guide has an out and about section.