Parent Partnership

Working in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council; the Parent Partnership Service [PPS] offers free, impartial and confidential support and advice to parents and carers whose children have special educational needs.

Ways in which PPS offers support include:

• Giving information about the Local Authority's policies and procedures in order to help parents and carers make informed decisions.
• Signpost parents/carers to voluntary groups and organisations that are able to provide support.
• Supporting parents / carers during the statutory assessment process, please see below for more information and some useful factsheets.
• The PPS has a small team of volunteers that can support parents/carers and some meetings; explain letters; assist with the completion of forms that are required during the Statutory Assessment Process.

A variety of guides can be found below to assist parents of children with special educational needs.

If you would like to contact the Parent Partnership Service please use the Online Enquiry Form on the right hand side of the page.

General

• Support and Information
• Jargon Buster
• Preparing for Meetings

Statement Process

If you are looking to obtain a Statutory Assessment (also known as a Statement of Special Educational Needs or just a 'Statement') your child will need a CAF (Common Assessment Framework) in place.

If your child already has one then please discuss this with your lead professional. If not please contact the school (or Early Years setting) SENCO about completing a CAF.

• Guide to Statutory AssessmentGuide to Statutory Assessment - Completing
• Parental Advice
• Statutory Assessment Diary Sheet

Refusals to Assess or a Note in Lieu

If you have received a letter after the completion of the Statutory Assessment form outlining a refusal to assess or issue a statement or they have a 'note in Lieu' and not a statement advise the customer to visit one of the following advice websites:

Contact a Family - www.cafamily.org.uk

IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) - http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

• Guide to Note in Lieu and Statement of Special Educational Needs
• Guide to 'What if we cannot agree?'Parent's Guide to Mediation

School and Early Years Settings

• Guide to How Schools Identify and Meet Pupils' Special Educational Needs
• Special Educational Needs in the Early Years
• Guide to Finding Out About a School
• Guide to Transition
• Guide to the National Curriculum and P scales
• Parent's Guide to the Annual Review