1,200 additional SEND inclusive summer holiday activity spaces available across Essex

1,200 additional SEND inclusive summer holiday activity spaces available across Essex

An additional 1,200 inclusive summer holiday activity spaces are available across Essex for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

The free, fun activities, which include silent discos, family picnics and sports sessions, among others, will be available at various locations across the county in July and August.

They are available to children and young people of any age with SEND (including those accessing SEND support, those with an Education, Health and Care Plan, those waiting for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment and those who are on a pathway for an Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment).

The new spaces are part of the council’s commitment to improving SEND support and opportunities for children and young people and their families.

They are in addition to the inclusive activities already in place in Essex and will be available during school holidays throughout the 2024/25 academic year.

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We are committed to working with families across Essex to improve their experience of the local SEND system. These additional spaces are part of us delivering on that commitment, but they are not the only part.

“Our wider SEND improvement journey is ongoing. Earlier this year we announced further funding and changes to speed up the pace of change, while maintaining the quality of services on offer. We are continuing to work with local families as we make further improvements to ensure we are on the right track and are starting to see early signs of progress.”

The new activities are part of the £4.3 million additional funding package the council announced this year.

As well as the activities, this funding is being used to create extra capacity within the council’s SEND operations team and educational psychologist service. It is also being used to increase the level of support given to schools and settings.

To find out more about the activities on offer and to book a free place directly with the provider, visit https://news.news.essex.gov.uk/9j46/Design/ra8-jje88

Families can find further SEND advice and guidance on the Essex Local Offer. This provides information about the support available for children and young people aged between 0 to 25 with SEND.

It includes a directory of local support and fun activities, as well as specialist healthcare. It also includes advice for young adults about key topics, such as housing and employment.