The latest news and updates for parents/carers

of children and young people 0-25 years with special educational needs

and disabilities (SEND) in the Manchester City Council area

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Our next drop in 

We return to The Manchester College for our next Drop In on Wednesday 18th 

October, 10am-12.00pm, Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road, M11 2WH. Our monthly free events are for parents/carers living in the Manchester City Council area, offering a chance to talk to a range of services and get support from other parents. Check out our recent Drop In newsletter for more about the event and how to find your way there.

Supported Internships at The Manchester College

The Manchester College have a stall at the Drop In about their Supported Internships. These are pathways to employment for young people aged 16-24 with SEND who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Interns are enrolled on a study programme as a student of the college but spend most of their time in a work placement instead of a classroom. It’s a great chance to learn by doing and develop the skills needed by employers. There are Supported Internships across the city - check out our Local Offer directory. 

FUTURE DROP INS, 10am-12pm

Wednesday 15th November, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe

Wednesday 13th December, Moss Side Powerhouse

SEND Community Offer

Skateboarding fun 

There is free skateboarding and scootering fun this half term with Projekts MCR Skatepark, 97 London Road, M1 2PG from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October, 2-4pm. It’s for SEND young people aged between 5-25 living in the Manchester City Council area and their families and friends. It’s free and each participant gets a cookie and a drink from the café too! Booking essential - call the Specialist Resource Team on 0161 219 2125, Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. One booking per family at this stage. Let the team know if you would be interested in places on other sessions if they become available during the half term.

Woodcraft and nature

Join Sow the City for free woodcraft and nature activities at Moss Side Powerhouse on Monday 23rd, Wednesday 25th and Friday 27th October, 1pm until 3pm. Siblings and families welcome. Call Lucy on 0161 465 6954 or email info@sowthecity.org to book on. For families living in the Manchester City Council area.

Sensory sessions 

Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over the half term. Free slots are available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October. For families living in the Manchester City Council area only. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.

Families also have free use of the Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre in Wythenshawe over half term. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. It's Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For families living in the Manchester City Council area only.

Flip out with The SPACE Group 

Fancy some trampolining? Join the SPACE team on Wednesday 25th October for an exclusive session at Flip Out, including pizza, chips, drinks and socks. To book please SEND ONE TEXT ONLY to 07749 116211 on Friday 13th October between 6pm-7pm. For your booking to be valid, the text needs to include: full children’s names and dates of births, address and postcode, ethnicity and whether or not your child is entitled to free school meals (Y or N). Example text: Joe Bloggs 4/8/2013, Anne Bloggs 16/12/2015, 123 Marsh Lane M40 SPC, White British, Y. For families living in the Manchester City Council area. The venue is on Corbett Street, M11 4TA, near Alan Turing Way. See the FAQs for more information. 

Spooky parties

The SPACE Group are holding four free inclusive spooky parties for families living in the Manchester City Council area:

Thursday 26^th October, The Grange Community Resource Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick M11 3TQ

Party 1 from 12-2pm will be relaxed, with reduced noise

Party 2 from 2.30-4.30pm will be a busy SPACE party

Friday 27^th October, St Nicholas Church, Kingsway, Burnage M19 1PL

Party 3 from 12-2pm will be relaxed, with reduced noise

Party 4 from 2.30-4.30pm will be a busy SPACE party

There are two ways of booking tickets. To book by text SEND ONE TEXT ONLY to 07749 116211 on Wednesday 18th October from 5-7pm. Please include your name, children’s name, postcode and preferred party (1, 2, 3 or 4). There will also be some tickets at our Drop In on Wednesday 18th October 10am-12pm, at The Manchester College, Openshaw Campus.

N-ice skating

Free ice-skating is back by popular demand – with more places available this year! If you are a SEND family living in the Manchester City Council area, join The SPACE Group and Manchester Ice Skating in the city centre this November:

Thursday 16th November, 5pm-6pm and 6-7pm

Wednesday 22nd November, 5pm-6pm and 6pm-7pm

Thursday 23rd November, 5pm-6pm

There are two ways to book. SEND ONE TEXT ONLY to 07749 116211 on Saturday 21st October from 4pm-6pm. Please include your name, additional adults names, children’s names, postcode, and preferred date. There will also be some tickets at our Drop In on Wednesday 18th October 10am-12pm, at The Manchester College, Openshaw Campus.

Additional information: Sessions are with Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens. SPACE parent carers will be there half an hour beforehand to meet you and help with getting ready in time. The site is wheelchair accessible and lights and music will be low. Children need to be aged 3+ (3-9yrs to be accompanied on the ice by an adult, 10-12s with an adult who is watching at all times). See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The SPACE Group are putting together a Social Story to support your experience.

Get creative 

There are a few places left on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s Relaxed Creative Session with Autism for the Arts. It’s for Manchester families and is on Thursday 26th October, 12-2.45pm at Manchester Art Gallery. Find out more and book!

Free Travel Training

Our free A-Z Travel Training Programme offers opportunities for young people to gain confidence and independence in travelling around Manchester and beyond. It’s for young people with SEND aged 14-25 who live in the Manchester City Council area, offering one-to-one support in accessing leisure activities. That might be the cinema, going to the shops or meeting up with a friend. There will be up to six sessions, each session lasting around three hours, depending on where the young person wants to go. They will also get useful information, e.g. travel cards, CEA cards and Our Pass. To find out more or to register, contact Olivia at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) at olivia.malone@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 028312. Part of the SEND Community Offer. Here's a leaflet that you can share with young people. 

Other stuff to do

Sports SEND taster

Join a free SEND sport and physical activity taster day on Friday 27th October, 10am-1pm at the indoor sports hall, Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Kirkmanshulme Lane, M12 4TF.  It’s for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families to try out different sports in a safe and inclusive environment. It’s an opportunity to speak to coaches and learn about the regular SEND sport provision in Manchester. This can help to open doors for regular participation. Coaches can also learn from you to improve the offer. If you would like to find out more and discuss any accessibility issues around the event, get in touch with Rebecca Kemp at r.kemp@mcractive.com, 07736 918676.

Important sports survey - please help

Access Sport are asking disabled and/or neurodivergent girls aged 11-19, as well as those with long-term health conditions, to take part in an important survey. Disabled teenage girls can struggle to find sport and exercise that works for them so there’s a need for targeted research. There’s an anonymous online survey for young people to fill in themselves (with parental permission up to age 16), closing on Tuesday 31st October 2023. If you would like to access the survey in a different format, please contact Kelly.Smith@AccessSport.org.uk.

Free youth theatre

TripleC, a disabled-led creative arts organisation, are offering a free Youth Theatre in January designed for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 8 to 16. It starts on Monday 15th January 15th 2024 at 53two in the city centre, Arch 19, Watson St M3 4LP. The sessions, led by professional actors and directors, will be in two age groups: 8-11 years (4.30-5.30pm) and 12-16 years (6-7.30pm). There are taster sessions in November, inviting children to try out theatre games, improvisations, and creating characters and stories. Find out more and how to book on the TripleC website.

New boxing club 

There is a new free 12-week Boxing and Mentoring Programme in Moston. It’s for 10-18 year olds and is 4.30-6pm on Thursdays at Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club, 1 Oscar Street M40 9DE. Whilst not SEND-specific, it’s an inclusive session that will work with the needs of the young person. It’s for 10-18 year olds but if there is someone aged up to 25 with SEND who would be interested, get in touch for a chat. Anyone can refer, using the referral form. Here it is, in pdf format which can be printed out. If you would like a Word version that can be filled in and returned electronically, contact Martin. Find out more about Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club on their website or contact martinroberts.cmbc@yahoo.com, 07359 475 014.  

Over the half term, there are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. Check out Money Saving Central.

Young people

EVENT THIS THURSDAY!

DWP and Manchester City Council are holding a Youth Fair aimed at young people who aren’t in employment or education. It's also suitable for young people with SEND who will be looking for work after college. It’s this week, on Thursday 12th October, 11am-3pm at Mosley Street Job Centre, 58 Mosley Street, M2 3HZ. No need to book, just turn up. The last hour is likely to be quieter if young people don't like busy spaces.

Digital internship places

There are places left on DISC, the new Digital Independent Specialist College that supports young people aged 16-24 with SEND to move towards working in the creative and digital economy. Based at Holyoake House in the city centre of Manchester, DISC is a creative and digital studio providing supported work-based learning to help talented young people fulfil their potential and their dreams. Learn more on the DISC website and contact the Admissions Team on 0161 410 2040 to find out about remaining places.

Vocational taster programme

The 0161 Project in Moston, North Manchester, has some places on its 16+ Vocational Taster Programme 2023/24. It’s for 16-25 year olds with an EHCP and offers opportunities in hair and beauty, mechanics, hospitality and sport. Young people can gain experience in a variety of vocational activities as an alternative to mainstream further education. Sessions are delivered in small groups, as well as one to one settings, with SEND experienced and skilled staff who can adapt to the needs of the young people. Whilst parents/carers are welcome to make contact to find out more, referral is through a professional working with the young person, such as a Careers Connect caseworker, college careers staff or SEN lead. Get in touch with Martin at martin.roberts@The0161project.co.uk or 07359 475 014.

Other news

Short SEND survey

If you have children with SEND and experience of looking for or using childcare outside of their core school hours, please take this very short Council survey. It's only a minute or two and the information will help us to gain a better understanding of the availability of childcare for school aged children with SEND. Closes 31st October.

Free communication workshop

There is a free Social Communication Pathway Workshop for Parents/Carers (Secondary) on Thursday 19th October, 10am-2pm, Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse: 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL. It’s aimed at parent/carers of secondary school-aged children and will include: language and communication strategies; understanding what behaviour your child/ young person may be communicating; and how to promote language and communication development. As a post-diagnostic workshop, this session is offered to parents and carers of children or young people who have received a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Find out more and how to book on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website.

Communication videos

The Manchester Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT) Team have developed a series of videos. They are intended to help parents and carers support young people (aged 11-18) with communication needs. Topics include: what's involved in communication; learning about new words (vocabulary); understanding routines and managing change; helping young people to be organized; and supporting young people with their feelings. Please watch the clips to check they are appropriate for your young person before sharing them. 

Teenage Q&A sessions

Did you know there are monthly online Teenage Q and A and seminars run for parents by parents? It’s through Greater Manchester Autism Consortium. There are other events and groups too, both virtual and face to face, including an online adult support group run by autistic facilitators. Check out GMAC’s Events.

Learn sign language

Are you a Manchester resident aged 19 or over who would like to learn British Sign Language (BSL)? Manchester Deaf Centre (MDC) is working with Manchester Adult Education Service to offer a new programme of free BSL courses. All courses are beginner level, with start dates in October, November and January. There is the opportunity to learn face to face at MDC or online via a Zoom classroom with short taster courses (5 hours or 10 hours) and longer courses (60 hours). Applications are invited from: people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing themselves and have never had opportunity to learn; and family members of a person who is deaf or who have a deaf friend or colleague. For further information, please email: sarahshaukat@manchesterdeafcentre.com.

School meals guidance

Many eligible disabled children are unfairly missing out on a free lunch because they can’t attend school or are unable to eat the meal provided due to dietary or sensory needs. Human rights lawyers have written a free school meals guide and four template letters to help families whose disabled child is eligible for free school meal but can’t access them in the standard way. Find the resources on Contact, including a free webinar on the subject.

Support for siblings

Sibs is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the needs of siblings of disabled children and adults. They provide direct support through their Young Sibs Information Hub so that children can find information about disability and get answers to their questions. They also offer a range of support to adult siblings, including email and peer support, tailored information guides and wellbeing events. There’s a parents and professionals section too. Learn more about Sibs on their website.

Autumn vaccines

The adult Covid and flu vaccination programmes were due to start in October but have been brought forward for those most at risk. The change is due to the risks presented by the new Covid variant and is a precautionary measure. You can have the vaccines if you are aged 16-64 and the main carer for a disabled or elderly person vulnerable to flu and Covid. You need to be registered with your GP as a carer. Read more about eligibility in this article from Carers UK.

Young carers champions

Get nominating in Manchester’s first ever Young Carer Champions Award! This new award is for adult members of staff at school or college who support young carers. Young carers can nominate, as well as their family members. Nominations are also welcome from school leaders but need to be supported by the views of their young carers. Closing date: 5pm on Friday 20th October. Let’s showcase and celebrate their amazing work!

If you have a young carer in your family or are not sure if you do, find out more from Manchester City Council. 

localoffer@manchester.gov.uk / 0161 234 1946 www.manchester.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer  Welcome to Manchester Local Offer  Local Offer SEND Information Hub

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