SEND routemaps
Parent carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) have told the Southend SEND Area Partnership that they do not always understand how to access education, health and social care services, which can lead to a delay and frustration for families in accessing the right support at the right time.
The SEND Strategic Action Plan commits to producing a suite of SEND routemaps to support effective navigation through the SEND system in Southend-on-Sea.
Current routemaps developed:
Education, Care and Health Needs Assessment (EHCNA)
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
Annual Reviews of Education Health and Care Plans
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.
EHCP phase transfer process for those entering Reception, year 3 (from an infant school), year 7 or year 9 (from a middle school) in September 2026
Moving to a new stage of education is also called a phase transfer. It happens when your child moves from:
- an early years setting to school
- infant school to junior school
- primary to secondary school
Identification and support for SEND in the early years
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.
Support for SEND in schools
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.
What to do if you are unhappy with the help your child is getting for their SEND at school
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.
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Routemaps development process
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Routemaps development process
In 2023, initial discussions held with parent carers at Your Local Offer Your Way sessions about what would be useful to include in routemaps.
In October 2023, mentimeter poll conducted at 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 organised. 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 held with colleagues about education transitions and the phase transfer process.
In June 2024, follow up Your Local Offer Your Way meeting held focusing on the early identification and support routemap.
In July 2024, Local Offer team add 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.
SEND Partnership Newsletter
Who's Listening
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Local Offer and Co-Production Officer
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SEND Local Offer Communications and Marketing Officer
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Consultation and Engagement
EA