Online Support

Did you know we have an Online Forum for Parents and Carers in Essex and Southend available?

Our online community is a group of SEND parents and carers who interact online, asking advice, sharing knowledge, learning, simply discussing topics, and supporting each other.

As of November 2023, we have more than 1,600 members in Southend & Essex.

Join the Community today here.

We have established a Membership Zone on our website to offer online assistance to parents. This platform provides families access to our electronic resources and the ability to book events.

We aim to create a centralised location for all our information, ensuring it is easily accessible to everyone.

Membership includes access to the booking system for:

STRM Parent Support Sessions, Specialist Talks, Training & Community Events
Family Support Service
Disability Benefit Service
Positive Activities

This includes:

Online Guides & Information*
Letter Templates*
Bitesize Information*
Parents’ Recommendations*

*These sections are currently being developed and will be available soon.

Exclusive invitations to be involved in:

Pilot Projects
Community Events
Household Support Fund

Any relevant, up-to-date news, events, or services we hear about locally.

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child

The resource was written and produced by Maggie Cleary, CEO of STRM – SEND the Right Message Registered Charity, Paula Farrow CEO and Sam Read of MyOTAS (My Own Time And Space) Charity and Katrina Farrall from Essex Family Forum.

The feedback was presented to the Joint Commissioning Board in Essex, which commissions services across Education, Health, and Social Care. They fully supported the project, recognising how valuable this information would be.

We understand that finding helpful information can be challenging, and we aim to make the process easier for families in need. Our pack includes information about the diagnosis process, helping your child at school, health and well-being, and much more. We also shared our experiences, hints, and tips, as well as those of parents, carers, and young people across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.

Our resource contains signposts to valuable books, blogs, and online resources that our writing team have used and found helpful in their journeys as parents.

This pack provides information about:

What is neurodiversity?
Diagnosis
Education
Health and Wellbeing – including Speech and Communication, Sensory Processing Disorder and therapy, tips on exercise and diet, toileting
Growing up
Financial Help – e.g., how to apply for Disability Living Allowance
Information for family and friends
Useful reading list
Lots of personal experiences, quotes, and tips from families and young people
Age-appropriate information
Myth Busting

The pack is available to download or request a hard copy. Professionals can also purchase a copy.

If you're looking for a hard copy of the booklet, no worries! You can easily grab one from friendly local charities, organisations, and support sessions throughout Essex:

Online Support

Membership includes access to the booking system for:

STRM Parent Support Sessions, Specialist Talks, Training & Community Events

Family Support Service

Disability Benefit Service

Positive Activities

This includes:

Online Guides & Information*

Letter Templates*

Bitesize Information*

Parents’ Recommendations*