Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes – especially if you’re a parent of a child or young person with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND).

Parents have told us that systems and processes can be confusing and complicated when they’re looking for help. If you do need support you need to know exactly what’s available and how to access it.

Somerset County Council and its partners in health, education, and social care have co-produced a SEND Effective Support Document for families with children and young people with SEND. The document will also support practitioners in their work with children and young people with SEND.

The number one objective is to ensure parents and families get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

This document has been fully endorsed by the Somerset Safeguarding and Health and Well-being Boards

The SEND Effective Support Document was issued in October 2019 as working guidelines, and following a range of positive feedback it has now been published as final guidance.

This document sets out our collective responsibilities and provides practical guidance with a step by step guide to the range of support that can be accessed at Early Help and SEND Support.

Ruth Hobbs, Director of Somerset Parent Carer Forum says ” Trying to navigate various systems can often be challenging for families when you have a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

“ The forum is really pleased that organisations from across the Somerset area listened to families and have come together to outline what support is available and how they can access it.”

Frances Nicholson, Lead Member for Children’s Services  at Somerset County Council added: “We have listened carefully to feedback from parents who have told us that it is difficult for them to know what they can reasonably expect from schools and services for their child/young person with SEND, and the SEND Effective Support Document outlines clearly what is available for Early Help & SEND Support and provides the clarity that is required by parents.”

To view and download a copy of Effective Support for Children and Young People with SEND and their Families document click here . 

Submitted by Communications