SEND routemaps

This routemap explains the process if you disagree with a decision made by Southend-on-Sea City Council regarding home-to-school travel assistance. This covers eligibility, the type of travel arrangements offered, distance measurements, or the safety of the route.

Download the routemap for: What to do if I disagree with a Home to School Travel Assistance decision - version 1.

Receiving Travel Assistance: This routemap explains what happens if your application for home-to-school travel assistance is approved by Southend-on-Sea City Council. It shows the process after eligibility is confirmed. The Council decides the most suitable and sustainable mode of travel assistance.

Download the routemap for: What happens if I am eligible for Home to Travel Assistance - version 1.

This routemap outlines the steps for applying for home-to-school travel assistance from Southend-on-Sea City Council. Parent/carers are responsible for ensuring their child attends school, including making travel arrangements. The Council provides assistance for eligible children.

Download the routemap for: How to apply for Home to School Travel Assistance - version 1.

Education settings have a duty to:

• identify special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and;
• use best efforts to make sure pupils with SEND get the support they need

All schools must publish a SEN Information Report on their website. The report has information about the provision available at the school for pupil’s with SEND. It should also contain information about what to do if you are not happy with the help your child or young person is getting at school.

The Southend Graduated Response document outlines how all schools in Southend are expected to support children and young people with SEND.

Download the routemap for: Unhappy with support in schools - version 1.

Support for SEND in schools refers to the extra help and adjustments provided to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This support aims to ensure they can access education and achieve their full potential.

Download the routemap for: Support for SEND in schools - version 2.

Supporting a child's development in the early years is crucial, and understanding the process can be even more important when a child has, or may have, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

This resource is designed to be a helpful guide for families, early years practitioners, and anyone supporting young children. It outlines key information about identifying SEND in early childhood, the range of support available, and how to access it.

We aim to provide clear and accessible information to empower you to support your child's development and ensure they receive the best possible start.

Download the routemap for: Identification and support for SEND in Early Years - version 1.

Education Health and Care (EHC) Plans must be reviewed at least every 12 months. This is done through a process called the Annual Review.

It is an important step to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the appropriate support and services.

Download the routemap for: EHCP Annual Reviews - version 1.

An Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) is the first step towards identifying if a child or young person needs an Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan. It is a formal evaluation of their educational, health, and care needs.

Download the routemap for: The EHCNA process - version 1.

Routemaps development process

In 2023, initial discussions were held with parent carers at Your Local Offer Your Way sessions about what would be useful to include in routemaps.

In October 2023, a mentimeter poll was conducted at the SEND Strategy and Strategic Action Plan launch event. Attendees voted on what processes they wanted covered by routemaps and Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF) seminars. Top combined areas were:

• identification and support for SEND in schools
• Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
• transitions
• health assessment pathways

In the 2023/24 academic year, three (3) SSIF seminars were held. Each seminar included information sharing and a routemaps co-production session run by the Local Offer team where parent carers told us what they wanted included in the routemap for that topic.

• seminar 1 – March 2024: Early identification and support of SEND in schools
• seminar 2 – May 2024: Education transitions
• seminar 3 – June 2024: EHCNA

Follow up meetings were held with colleagues about education transitions and the phase transfer process.

In June 2024, a follow up Your Local Offer Your Way meeting was held focusing on the early identification and support routemap.

In July 2024, the Local Offer team added to Education Transitions information on the Local Offer including information that was covered at the SSIF seminar: Education Transitions.

The Local Offer team produced drafts of routemaps for the following topics based on the relevant processes and what parent carers had told us they wanted included:

• early identification and support of SEND in schools and early years
• Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
• phase transfers
• annual review for EHCP process

In August 2024, drafts were shared with SSIF and favoured design style was agreed.

In September 24, routemaps were re-configured to favoured and consistent design style.

To ensure the draft routemaps were comprehensive, an engagement session was held on October 3, 2024, where parent carers, stakeholders and professionals provided valuable feedback.