Special educational needs (SEN)
Family Support Workers for Social Communication Needs
Partner: A Better Start Southend
Location: Southend
Project:
°Õ³ó±ð   SEND team identified a need for support for families for when they first receive or whilst they are waiting for a diagnosis of autism. 
The project therefore provides a service for  families whose child is currently on the Multidisciplinary Assessment waiting list and with concerns around development in (at least) two of these areas: communication; interaction; imaginative play.
Offering support and advice such as telephone guidance, home visits and accompanying to appointments, our small team of Family Support Workers come with personal experience of parenting children with social and communication needs in the local area.
The project offers:
- A peer support service
- Telephone/email contact
- Home visits
- Community visits
- Flexible service to best meet your needs
- Signposting
- Information and advice
  has provided funding for the Early Years Alliance to provide Family Support Workers to support parents during this period on a referral basis. 
These positions work alongside the Southend SEND and Portage team as well as the Alliance Early Years Development Service to support families within Southend.
If you would like any further information on the service, please contact Helen Smith-Vicary on 07918 223834 or email  helenvicary@southend.gov.uk  or Gary Croxon, Early Years Alliance Business Manager gary.croxon@eyalliance.org.uk
