Southend SEND Network and how to join
The Southend SEND Network is for organisations and groups that support local children and young people with SEND and/or their families. Parent carers can also join. The Network is a collaboration between SSIF and the SEND Local Offer Team on behalf of the Southend SEND Area Partnership.
Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) is the Parent Carer Forum for Southend-on-Sea. They are the nominated strategic partner for the Southend SEND Area Partnership, Their role is to represent the voice of parent carers.
The SEND Network was set up to:
- ensure the local community is better informed about services and support
- help families understand how the Partnership is working to deliver local SEND services
- reach and engage more families and increase participation in co-production
- ensure the voice of local families, groups and stakeholders are captured, fed back, and heard across the Partnership
- strengthen relationships across the Southend SEND community
Network members receive:
- information and updates from the SEND Area Partnership
- details of co-production and engagement activities
- invitations to complete surveys and take part in consultations
How to join the SEND Network
Just complete a consent form and provide your contact details. You can do this electronically through this link.
If you need any help, or have any questions, please email localoffer@southend.gov.uk
SEND Champions
SEND Network organisation members are asked to nominate a SEND Champion to:
- attend relevant SEND events or meetings
- share information and co-production/engagement opportunities with their families
- raise awareness of the local SEND system within their service/organisation
- represent the collective voice of their organisation/families, particularly if families don't take part in activities directly
- attend termly SEND Network meetings (for organisation members) and share updates about their service with other network members
A training and support plan is being developed for SEND Champions. This will provide:
- knowledge of statutory requirements and SEND processes, including Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- an understanding of how services contribute and support children and young people with SEND
- where to find information advice and guidance on the Southend SEND system including using the Southend SEND Local Offer
Benefits of groups and organisations joining the SEND Network and being a SEND Champion
- network with other professionals to share experiences and knowledge
- learn about other local organisations and support to enable better signposting for families.
- learn about new SEND initiatives in Southend
- share valuable feedback from families about their experiences and priorities
SSIF Seminars
SSIF host regular seminars on a range of SEND topics.
Network members are encouraged to attend seminars and share information in their service/organisation and with the families they support.This is particularly important if the families they support cannot attend themselves. Read about future SSIF Seminars.
Your Local Offer Your Way sessions
The SEND Local Offer team run `Your Local Offer Your Way` sessions. The community and SEND Network members are invited to attend sessions to input into what information is needed in the SEND Local Offer section of Livewell Southend and how it can be best presented.