Family Information Service
Children with Additional Needs
Childcare for Children with Additional Needs
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is committed to ensuring that all childcare and early years settings in the Borough provide a service that includes all children and support is available to achieve this.
Read more about Childcare Options for Children with Additional Needs...
Help finding Childcare - Click here
Paying for Childcare for Children with Additional Needs - Click here
Order Free DCT Guide to Childcare for Disabled Children - Click here
Marvellous Minders
A scheme aimed at finding a suitable childminder to provide opportunities for parents and carers to have short breaks, return to work or access training while their child receives high quality care. The scheme is co-ordinated by designated NCMA Development Co-ordinators who will broker a personalised service to support families to link with specialist childminders who can offer care that is tailored to meet their child's and families specific needs.
All Marvellous Minders are registered with Ofsted and are fully qualified. They have gained further specialised knowledge and skills including safeguarding children with disabilities, child development, disability awareness, manual handling, and hold a current paediatric first aid certificate, amongst others and are commitment to further training to support and extend their knowledge and skills.
All Marvellous Minders work in partnership with parents/carers/social workers/key persons in the child's life to fully understand the complex needs of the child in their care.
Please contact the Family Information Service if you would like more information about Marvellous Minders on 01702 215007 or email fissos@southend.gov.uk
Short Breaks for Disabled Children
Short Breaks provide disabled children and young people with an opportunity to spend time away from their parents, relaxing and having fun with their friends. They provide families with a 'break' from their caring responsibilities; they give parents a chance to unwind, rest or spend time with other children. Examples of short breaks include holiday play schemes and home sitting but each family has a different idea of what makes the 'ideal' short break.
More about Short Breaks - Click here
Parent Partnership Service
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.
Call 01702 215658 or email parentpartnership@southend.gov.uk for information.
About the Parent Partnership Service - Click here
Advice and Support
Family Voice Southend - Click here
Disabilities Information and Advice Line - Click here
Financial Support
About Direct Payments - Click here
Applying for Direct Payments in Southend-on-Sea - Click here
Claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - Click here
Benefits and Tax Credits Advice - Click here
Paying for Childcare for Children with Additional Needs - Click here
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