Recommendation 6 update
Recommendation 6:
The local area partnership should make sure that parents and carers and professionals receive clear and reliable information about how to access the range of support and services that are available.
What we wanted:
- strengthened strategic engagement of children and young people with SEND so they are more involved in the wider decision-making of the area
- SEND champions in place and operational
What we did:
- the introduction of a Southend-on-Sea City Council Youth Participation Officer has strengthened the engagement and participation of Children and Young People with SEND. Their work has been influential and impactful on a number of projects, outlined in the Annual Youth Voice report
- there is good alignment with SEND Youth Forum and Southend Multi Schools Council where key themes and joint priorities are addressed
- Coproduced a further 6 roadmaps that outline SEND services across education, health and social care. View the SEND Routemaps.
- collected a range of evidence of co production activity
- Local Offer and Co Production Officer consistently support teams in ensuring child/young person and parent-carer voice is obtained with any new work
- there is a dedicated page outlining how families can get involved with current and future co production and engagement work
- ensured communications are managed across stakeholder groups in a systematic and effective way
- held termly SEND network meetings to support the developing knowledge of the 45 current SEND champions, share updates and provide opportunities to network and collaborate
- progress joint working with neighbouring Integrated Care Boards (ICB's) to ensure information for families about pathways is consistent across Southend, Essex and Thurrock
- worked with parent carer forums to update ICB children and young people's webpage to improve signposting for families
The difference it made:
- voice themes from children and young people informed the outcomes framework and other workstreams
- families understand where to go for accurate support, advice and information
- children, young people with SEND and their families and stakeholders understand what they can coproduce and how to contribute to or influence individual, service level and strategic decisions
- there is evidence from surveys, and direct feedback from Your Local Offer Your Way sessions and other community engagements that shows the SEND Local Offer is better utilised
- SEND Families and stakeholders understand how the area is working to deliver SEND services and improvements
Priorities for 2025-26:
- undertake a full review and evaluation of the Short Breaks offer in Southend, co-producing a new Short Breaks Statement