Essex, Southend and Thurrock Balanced System® Therapies Project

Essex County Council, Southend Borough Council and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups across Essex and Southend have commissioned an ambitious project for children's therapies including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Key outcomes of this work will include to have all children's therapy services working to a common framework.  Better Communication CIC, a not for profit organisation specialising in commissioning and provision of children's therapies, is supporting this work and the framework that underpins the work is The Balanced System®.  This will mean that there will be a single delivery plan for children's therapies across Essex and Southend that will be based on the same aims.  More information about The Balanced System® can be found here.

This web page will provide an overview of the project as it progresses, links to key consultation surveys or events, and a place to publish updates as the work progresses.

You can download an introduction to the project from commissioners here

Project Timeline

February - December 2022 Stage 1: Understand needs and current provision Engage and understand: Therapy services LA services Schools, settings and FE Families, Carers and Young People Wider stakeholders

January 2022 - August 2023 Stage 2: Plan Analyse strengths and gaps Develop and propose options Plan for delivery

September 2023 onwards Stage 3: Do and Review Test Implement Monitor Evaluate

Stakeholder engagement throughout the journey

We have already begun to work with commissioners and children's therapy providers as well as parent and carer forums, across Essex, Southend and Thurrock to gather information about the current needs and services available to support children and young people, their families and carers.  In Stage 1 of the process we sought the views of parents and carers, schools, settings and FE, wider professional colleagues across education, health and social care.  The links below will direct you to specific information.  

This information will be updated regularly so do come back to visit!