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Home To School Transport
- Have Your Say
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In response to feedback from parents, Manchester City Council has commissioned Peopletoo Ltd to do an external review of the Home to School Transport Service. As part of the review, there is an online survey for parent carers. If you have a couple of minutes, we would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Tell us what works well and about the challenges and barriers to help us improve the service.
You are also invited to take part in open and honest discussions about the Home to School Transport Service, set up with Manchester Parent Carers Forum:
Thank you for any contribution you can make. If you would prefer to contact Peopletoo Ltd directly, email steve.woodhead@peopletoo.co.uk.
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Our Website Just Got More User-friendly
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We know it isn’t always easy to find your way around the Manchester Local Offer website. To make it more user-friendly, we’ve created two new menus.
Welcome To Manchester Local Offer
The Welcome menu tells you about us and what we offer, including our drop ins, online directory, and how to get involved and have your say. There is also guidance for new parent carers, answering some of your common questions.
SEND Information Hub
You can find a wide range of information through the SEND Information Hub. It covers education, Short Breaks, grants, household matters, sources of support, stuff to do - and much more.
Looking for information in other languages? Both menus tell you how to use Google Translate on the Manchester Local Offer webpages. This converts the text into numerous languages.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch with our staff member Ali at ali.davenport@manchester.gov.uk, 07971 587963. Ali usually works Monday to Thursday morning and will get in touch as soon as she can.
Manchester Local Offer now has a QR code (Quick Response). The can be scanned using a smartphone device and will take you to the main Manchester Local Offer page with the searchable directory. There is a section in Welcome To Manchester Local Offer that tells you how to use the directory. The code will be on our new postcards - coming out soon!
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Free Sensory Rooms At Half Term
The Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill are back for February half term. Free slots are available at various times during the week from Monday 21st to Friday 25th February. Manchester families only and booking essential – call 0161 214 5959 or email info@redbankhouse.com.
More half term activities from the SEND Community Offer coming up
– look out in the next newsletter!
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Pre-season Friendlies
The National Football Museum have restarted their monthly Relaxed mornings – Pre-Season Friendly. The next one is on Sunday 20th February 9-10am. This time is ideal for neurodivergent adults and children. Gallery sound levels are minimal, with ear defenders and a quiet room available. Admission is free and there is no need to book – visitors can stay in the Museum once it opens fully at 10am. See the museum's What's On for more information or email denise.lambert@nationalfootballmuseum.com. Photo by Mark Stuckey.
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Open Doors At Manchester Art Gallery
Open Doors is a series of creative sessions at Manchester Art Gallery for autistic children and their families and carers. The next session is Tuesday 22nd February. Arrive any time between 10-11.30am, the session finishes at 12 noon. Book through Eventbrite. Any questions, contact katymccall@manchester.gov.uk or ring the main desk 0161 235 8888. Future dates: Saturday 19th March and Tuesday 12th April.
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Young Artists Group
Venture Arts have a limited number of spaces in their Young Artists group for learning disabled or autistic young people aged 19-25. The group meets on Thursdays, 1.30-3.30pm at Z-arts in Hulme. No skills or experience necessary – just an interest in making art. The group helps young people develop their identity as artists and includes trying out different art forms, visits and commissions and placements. £10 per week. Contact Lydia on 0161 232 1223 or lydia@venturearts.org.
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Free Workshops
A free online workshop ‘What are Care Education and Treatment Reviews (CETRs)’ is being offered by Greater Manchester Autism Consortium (GMAC). It’s on February 11th 10-11.30am and is for parents and autistic people only. Although CETRs have been around for a few years, it is often only at the point of a major crisis that they are mentioned. GMAC want to get families informed to help them navigate the system. Book using this Eventbrite link. While this is a one off workshop, they may repeat it if there is high demand. In the meantime, see their on-going events.
Educational Psychologists from One Education in Manchester are running free online half-day post-diagnostic training sessions. These are for parent carers whose children have received an autism diagnosis from The Bridge, The Winnicott Centre, Carol Kendrick Centre or The Powerhouse. Sessions include ‘What is Autism?’, the SEND Code of Practice, and an introduction to the Manchester Parent Carer Forum. All sessions are 9.30am-12 noon. Sign up on Eventbrite for one of these dates: Wednesday 2nd February Early Years & Primary Pupils; Thursday 3rd March Secondary Pupils; Wednesday 16th March Early Years & Primary Pupils; Tuesday 29th March Secondary Pupils. The hope is to offer more sessions in April and May.
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Council News
Have your say on the Manchester City Council’s budget for Council services in 2022/23 and increasing Council Tax by 1% to protect adult social care.
Manchester City Council is launching ‘2022: Our Year’ to create a legacy for children and young people living in Manchester and to help bring UNICEF's 'Child Friendly City' recognition for the city. Young Mancunians are set to benefit from new experiences, opportunities and support to help them reclaim their futures after the pandemic experience. Read more and find out how you can get involved in the Our Year website.
Make Dreams Come True
Dreams Come True is a wish granting organisation that supports children aged 5-18 with serious or life limiting medical conditions from disadvantaged communities. It makes dreams come true for individual children, which might be UK holidays, bedroom makeovers or experience days. They also offer Community Dreams, investing in a community group to provide a dream that more children can enjoy – like playground equipment, a sensory room refit, and adapted trikes. They are looking to extend their offer in the North West. Referral is through a professional who supports the child or children. Find out more and how to apply on the Dreams Come True website.
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Covid Updates
The latest Office for National Statistics data show that infection levels are falling in England and that scientists believe it is likely that the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally. From today (27th January), there is a return to Plan A. There is no longer a legal requirement to wear face coverings. However, choosing to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces can help to stop the spread of COVID-19, along with hand-washing, cleaning surfaces and opening windows.
You will still need to self-isolate if you test positive. The self isolation period is now 5 full days. This can end if you test negative on day 5 and day 6.
We are now moving towards the ‘endemic’ phase which means we need to learn to live with the possibility of the virus constantly being present in the population. We know that vaccinations save lives, so please get your jabs and protect yourselves.
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Manchester is about to reach a significant milestone in our COVID-19 journey, vaccinating over 1 million people. This incredible achievement is thanks to the efforts of workers, partners and communities who are leading by example and helping to protect themselves and keep others safe.
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