Elective Home Education Hub

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Welcome to Elective Home Education (EHE)

This page provides information for parent's who are considering educating their child at home, as well as on-going guidance and information for existing home educators.

Education is a fundamental right for every child and we recognise that parents have the right to choose to educate their child at home rather than at school. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children receive a suitable education. Where parents have chosen to home educate, we want the home-educated child to have a positive experience.

The legal responsibility for a child’s education rests with their parents. While most parents choose to educate their children by sending them to school, others choose to educate their children at home. So, education is compulsory but school isn’t.

Those parents who make the decision to take responsibility for their child’s education instead of sending to school are Electively Home Educating (EHE).

By choosing to electively home educate, parents are taking on the full responsibility for their children’s education, ensuring it is full-time, suitable and effective. There are no funds available for parents who decide to home educate their children.

As a local authority, we have a duty to ensure all children receive a full-time, suitable and effective education, including those who are electively home educated.

We are committed to working with home educating parents to ensure home education is a success for all.

We carry out our duty through regular engagement with families in a range of ways including visits, calls and parental reports. These reviews also offer the opportunity for home educating families to raise any concerns or requests for advice and guidance regarding the educational provision being made.

Further information on how the EHE team works with families and fulfils its duty please contact the team at ehe@southend.gov.uk or by the contact details on the 'who's listening' tab.

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EHE Hubs

The EHE team offer parent/carer drop-in sessions at Libraries and Family Centres across Southend City. Why not drop in and see us?

Prittlewell Priory Visitor Centre, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 6NB

First Tuesday of the Month 10am - 2pm

3rd June, 8th July

Westcliff Library, London Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 9PD

First Tuesday of the Month

3rd June and 1st July

The Forum Library, Elmer Square, Southend-On-Sea, SS1 1NS

First Friday of the month 10am-2pm

6th June and 4th July

Coffee 'n' Catch Up Sessions, The Forum Library, SS1 1NS

11am-1pm

Friday 23rd May, Friday 27th June, Friday 25th July, Friday 29th August

If you would like to meet with the team at a different date and time please email us at: ehe@southend.gov.uk

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The Lighthouse Centre - Workshops for Parents

The Lighthouse Child Development Centre is running workshops and support sessions for children between 5 and 18 years old and their families.

SEND Surgeries

The Southend City SEND Team hold monthly ‘SEND Surgeries’ in locations across Southend City (9:00am to 11:00am). If you have a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and have any questions or need advice, drop-in and see us:

  • Thursday 26 June 2025. Earls Hall Primary School, Carlton Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, SS0 0QN

  • Tuesday 15 July 2025. Edwards Hall Primary School, Macmurdo Road, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5AQ

  • Please note there is no session in August

  • Wednesday 24 September 2025. Hamstel Junior School, Hamstel Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4PQ

  • Friday 17 October 2025. The Eastwood Academy, Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 5UU

  • Monday 17 November 2025. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3HS
  • Thursday 11 December 2025. Venue to be confirmed


Officers that will be in attendance at each surgery include representatives from the school age EHCP team, the Inclusion team, Occupational Therapy, the Supporting Families team, the School Nursing Team and the Local Offer team.

  • If you are unable to come to a surgery, but need help with anything related to SEND, contact us at LocalOffer@southend.gov.uk or 01702 212328.

For locations and further details, visit www.southend.gov.uk/SENDSurgeries

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SEND Coffee Mornings for Parents & Carers

SAVS, Alexandra Street, Southend On Sea, SS1 1BW 10am-11:30am

Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSiF) host a monthly coffee morning, where Parent Carers can get together to share their experiences.
Every month they have the Local Offer team with them and invite 1 or 2 additional special guests from for example Health, Social Care, Education and more, to offer guidance and advice.
There is also a sensory play creche available for your little ones aged 0-5 with Chaos & Calm.
Come along and chat to other Parent Carers, get advice from one of our SEND support service guests and enjoy a hot drink with something sweet.
Booking is not required.

10th June 2025 and 8th July 2025

Welcome to Elective Home Education (EHE)

This page provides information for parent's who are considering educating their child at home, as well as on-going guidance and information for existing home educators.

Education is a fundamental right for every child and we recognise that parents have the right to choose to educate their child at home rather than at school. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children receive a suitable education. Where parents have chosen to home educate, we want the home-educated child to have a positive experience.

The legal responsibility for a child’s education rests with their parents. While most parents choose to educate their children by sending them to school, others choose to educate their children at home. So, education is compulsory but school isn’t.

Those parents who make the decision to take responsibility for their child’s education instead of sending to school are Electively Home Educating (EHE).

By choosing to electively home educate, parents are taking on the full responsibility for their children’s education, ensuring it is full-time, suitable and effective. There are no funds available for parents who decide to home educate their children.

As a local authority, we have a duty to ensure all children receive a full-time, suitable and effective education, including those who are electively home educated.

We are committed to working with home educating parents to ensure home education is a success for all.

We carry out our duty through regular engagement with families in a range of ways including visits, calls and parental reports. These reviews also offer the opportunity for home educating families to raise any concerns or requests for advice and guidance regarding the educational provision being made.

Further information on how the EHE team works with families and fulfils its duty please contact the team at ehe@southend.gov.uk or by the contact details on the 'who's listening' tab.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EHE Hubs

The EHE team offer parent/carer drop-in sessions at Libraries and Family Centres across Southend City. Why not drop in and see us?

Prittlewell Priory Visitor Centre, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 6NB

First Tuesday of the Month 10am - 2pm

3rd June, 8th July

Westcliff Library, London Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, SS0 9PD

First Tuesday of the Month

3rd June and 1st July

The Forum Library, Elmer Square, Southend-On-Sea, SS1 1NS

First Friday of the month 10am-2pm

6th June and 4th July

Coffee 'n' Catch Up Sessions, The Forum Library, SS1 1NS

11am-1pm

Friday 23rd May, Friday 27th June, Friday 25th July, Friday 29th August

If you would like to meet with the team at a different date and time please email us at: ehe@southend.gov.uk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Lighthouse Centre - Workshops for Parents

The Lighthouse Child Development Centre is running workshops and support sessions for children between 5 and 18 years old and their families.

SEND Surgeries

The Southend City SEND Team hold monthly ‘SEND Surgeries’ in locations across Southend City (9:00am to 11:00am). If you have a child or young person with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and have any questions or need advice, drop-in and see us:

  • Thursday 26 June 2025. Earls Hall Primary School, Carlton Avenue, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, SS0 0QN

  • Tuesday 15 July 2025. Edwards Hall Primary School, Macmurdo Road, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex SS9 5AQ

  • Please note there is no session in August

  • Wednesday 24 September 2025. Hamstel Junior School, Hamstel Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4PQ

  • Friday 17 October 2025. The Eastwood Academy, Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 5UU

  • Monday 17 November 2025. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Manchester Drive, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3HS
  • Thursday 11 December 2025. Venue to be confirmed


Officers that will be in attendance at each surgery include representatives from the school age EHCP team, the Inclusion team, Occupational Therapy, the Supporting Families team, the School Nursing Team and the Local Offer team.

  • If you are unable to come to a surgery, but need help with anything related to SEND, contact us at LocalOffer@southend.gov.uk or 01702 212328.

For locations and further details, visit www.southend.gov.uk/SENDSurgeries

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEND Coffee Mornings for Parents & Carers

SAVS, Alexandra Street, Southend On Sea, SS1 1BW 10am-11:30am

Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSiF) host a monthly coffee morning, where Parent Carers can get together to share their experiences.
Every month they have the Local Offer team with them and invite 1 or 2 additional special guests from for example Health, Social Care, Education and more, to offer guidance and advice.
There is also a sensory play creche available for your little ones aged 0-5 with Chaos & Calm.
Come along and chat to other Parent Carers, get advice from one of our SEND support service guests and enjoy a hot drink with something sweet.
Booking is not required.

10th June 2025 and 8th July 2025

  • Coffee 'n' Catch Up Session - 11am-2pm - The Forum

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    Friday 23rd May 2025 - come along and join us for a coffee 'n' catch up - meet other parents ands carers and build our community.

  • FREE Art Day Session - Wednesday 21st May 2025

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  • Connexions - Post GCSE Event

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    Connexions post GCSE Event

    Our post GCSE event is being held at The Forum on Friday 22nd August. As usual we will have local providers in attendance. In addition this year we will also be having a drop in opportunity for all young people at The Forum starting Tuesday 26th and continuing until Friday 29th August between 10am – 2pm everyday where advisers will be available to offer 1-2-1 advice and guidance for anyone who needs additional help.

  • FREE - Parent GCSE Revision Workshops

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    Southend Adult Community College invite for EHE Parents:

    We know that supporting your child through their GCSE Maths revision can sometimes feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone!

    Our FREE course is designed to give parents and carers the confidence, tools, and practical strategies to help their child build maths skills, reduce exam stress, and feel prepared for success.

    👩‍🏫 Who is this for?
    ✔️ Parents & carers of Year 11 students preparing for GCSE Maths
    ✔️ Home-schooling families looking for structured maths support
    ✔️ Parents of 16-19 learners who need extra help with numeracy skills

    📚 What You’ll Learn:
    🔢 The key GCSE Maths topics—explained simply
    📝 Easy-to-follow revision techniques you can use at home
    🎯 Confidence-boosting strategies to reduce exam stress
    🎲 Fun, practical ways to make maths more engaging
    🏡 How to integrate learning into everyday activities

    💡 No previous maths experience is needed—just a willingness to support your child in a fun and stress-free way!

    📅 Course Details:

    Friday 4th April 2025

    12:00pm - 14:00pm (1 off session)


    💰 Completely FREE!

    This is a fantastic opportunity to feel more prepared and give your child the support they need to succeed in their exams. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out!

    🔗 Reserve your spot now: https://form.jotform.com/250582346295361

  • World Book Day - Thursday 6th March

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    In collaboration with Southend Museums why not join us on World Book Day at Prittlewell Priory Visitor Centre from 11:30am-1:30pm - dress up as your favourite book character and join in with some fun activities - we look forward to seeing you there!

  • Southend City Day - Sat 1st March 2025

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    As part of the Southend City Day celebrations, Southend Museums are holding a Gardening wellbeing event - everyone is welcome 12pm-2pm - FREE refreshments and all equipment will be provided. Email museums@southend.gov.uk to register your interest.



  • Preparing For Adulthood SEND strategy

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    Two engagement sessions for Parents to help shape the future for young people with SEND.

    Face to Face - Tuesday 4th February from 1pm - 2.30pm - Civic Centre, Jubilee Room

    Online - Wednesday 5th February 7pm - 8pm

    For more information - www.livewellsouthend.com/pfa

  • IPECO - Open Evening - 20th February 4:30pm

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    Ipeco are holding an Open Evening at 4:30pm on Thursday 20th February 2025. Please contact trainingcentre@ipeco.com for more information or to book your place.

  • Ballet & Tap Class starting February 2025

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    To find out more or book your space please contact Amanda Restell directly on: admin@amandarestellacademy.com or 01702 712000

  • Home to School Travel Assistance - Consultation

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    Between 2nd December 2024 to 31st January 2025 the Home to School Travel Assistance Consultation will take place and they are looking for Parents, Carers, Young People and professionals views - to get involved email: consultations@southend.gov.uk

Page last updated: 19 May 2025, 10:10 PM