A revised version of the special education needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy will be discussed at Cabinet following input from the Children, Learning and Inclusion Working Party.
The recommendation in the report for cabinet (Tuesday 21 February, item nine) is to agree the revised strategy, which is intended to cover April 2022 until March 2026, and once agreed, for it to be available in a variety of different accessible formats.
The strategy is a joint document, produced by the Southend SEND Strategic Partnership, which is made up of partners in social care, health, education, parents forum and the voluntary sector. Once agreed by the council, it also has to be approved by the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.
Cllr Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “Although the strategy was originally co-produced, comments were raised at people’s scrutiny about the level of which the experiences and viewpoints of parents and carers of children with SEND, informed the strategy.
“This revision has addressed that, and the document will replace the previous 'Success for All' document. I’m sure everyone will agree that a lot of work has been done in the area of SEND and this new strategy better reflects the service as it is now, and how we hope it will continue to build in the coming years.”
The five priorities in the report haven’t changed and remain as before. They centre around the priorities children and young people with SEND and their families, said were important to them:
- transitions - Children and young people are prepared and supported to thrive at each change in their lives, helping them to feel secure and confident
- early intervention - identification, assessment and effective support happen quickly and at the earliest opportunity
- plans - Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and other plans for children and their families have the young person at the centre, are well co-ordinated, co-produced, timely, and lead to well informed and effective support, which is regularly monitored and reviewed
- the Local Offer - Southend’s Local Offer website is a widely and easily accessible resource that signposts to support services and high-quality provisions for Children and Young People with SEND and their families.
- good mental health and wellbeing -Children and young people are provided with the best chance to achieve positive mental health, be happy and thrive within their family, education and social lives, develop their potential, build strong relationships and contribute to their community
The report will be discussed at Cabinet and can be found on the Southend Democracy website.