Each local area has statutory duties* and responsibilities in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The Southend SEND Partnership was formed to ensure the local area carries out its duties and to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of support.
(*Statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014).
The local area is not just Southend Council. The local area also includes the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) and Integrated Care Board (ICB), public health, NHS England for specialist services, early year's settings, schools and further education providers. As a collective they are referred to as the Southend SEND Partnership.
The contracted Parent Carer Forum, (Southend SEND Independent Forum - SSIF) is an equal and important member within our Southend SEND Partnership.
Together the Southend SEND Partnership oversees the work of the local area to ensure that children and young people with SEND achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes, such as being able to live independently, secure meaningful employment and be well prepared for their adult lives.
Members of the Southend SEND Partnership are represented on SEND Governance groups to oversee the work of the local area.
- the SEND Strategic Partnership Board (SSSPB) leads the area's work by providing strategic oversight and scrutiny of the SEND operational workstreams and reports directly to the Health and Wellbeing Board (HWWB).
- a SEND Operations Group oversees and supports the infrastructure that helps partners work together to effectively and reports directly to the SEND Strategic Partnership Board
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) jointly inspect local areas to see how well they fulfil their responsibilities for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Find out more about Southend Inspections and Reviews.