SEND Reform Plan for Essex
SEND Reform Plan For Essex
Essex’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform Plan explains how the Local Authority will deliver the SEND reforms that the Department for Education (DfE) is asking all councils in England to put in place.
The DfE approved the Essex Local SEND Reform Plan on 2 October 2026, describing it as a sound foundation for moving into delivery.
You can access the Plan and the approval letter by clicking HERE
You can also read the Essex Family Forum statement regarding the SEND Reforms HERE
Essex Family Forum will soon be hosting a webinar with Essex Local Authority to explain more about the reforms and how they will affect your family, please keep an eye on our social media for more details.
You can share your views on the SEND Reform Plans and anything else SEND related through our online Graffiti Wall click HERE
Update on EHC needs assessments
The update provides details on ongoing SEND improvements, including feedback from summer inclusive activities and an update on reducing EHCNA backlogs through additional Educational Psychologists. The letter outlines further changes to improve the assessment process, acknowledge continuing system pressures, and set priorities for the year ahead.
Please click the link below or the image opposite to to access a letter from Clare Kershaw and Cllr Tony Ball.
My Care Bridge
My Care Bridge, an online portal for new referrals for children and young people’s autism and ADHD services in mid and south Essex, is now live.
The portal is for children and young people who are aged up to 18 years old and registered with a GP in mid and south Essex. This includes Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend, Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock.
The should be easy to use and secure and has been developed in collaboration with healthcare and education professionals, and families.
Educational settings (including nurseries, schools, and colleges), GPs, health visitors, and other health professionals can use the portal to make referrals.
Parents and carers will be sent a login when a referral has been made and you will be able to log into the portal to provide information for your child’s referral, track the referral and access a library of support available locally.
The portal is for new referrals only – current referrals will continue to follow existing administrative pathways.
At present, it cannot accept referrals made by parents, carers, family members or young people themselves. If you feel your child/young person requires an Autism or ADHD assessment, we encourage discussion with their education setting or GP about making a referral through My Care Bridge.
The portal been developed by the Mid and South Essex Community Collaborative, a partnership between Essex Partnership University Trust, North East London Foundation Trust and Provide Community.
If you would like to give us any feedback on the portal please do so by clicking HERE