Developing our actions
Once the priorities had been agreed a draft strategy setting out the proposed actions went out for wider consultation.
Feedback was invited from young people, parents and carers of children and young people with SEND and professionals who work with and support children and young people with SEND.
People were able to provide feedback through face to face or online engagement events and also via a survey.
The Parent and Carer Forum (Southend SEND Independent Forum) worked closely with the SEND Partnership to engage a wide range of stakeholders and supported the review of consultation feedback. This is to ensure that the key priorities and the proposed actions reflect the needs of the SEND community.
Through this consultation families said that actions should focus on:
- improving mental health service provision and waiting lists
- increased visibility of professionals in the community to meet SEND families
- simple pathways that support navigation of the SEND system
- ensuring plans are concise, simple and child focused
- end of school transition support to college or into the workplace
- a reduction in waiting times for diagnosis
- strong community connections like clubs and sports
- better promotion of services and provision in the area
- more opportunities to get young people into work
- keeping families more informed and part of the process
- undertake appropriate co-production approaches in the delivery of the priorities in the SEND Strategy
The wide range of feedback from the consultation has been collated and is available to view. Visit developing the strategy on Your Say Southend website.