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 SEND Community Offer

Forest School - NEW!

The SEND Forest School is back for the half term, offering an inclusive and urban forest school experience for families living in the Manchester City Council area. It’s a stay and play activity - drop in any time between 10am-3pm, vegetarian lunch around 12 noon. There’s a warm welcome for all ages, including pumpkin messy play, sensory play in the mud kitchen, sand pit, and water areas, fire lighting and tool use, den building, nature crafts and giant bubbles – as well as a chance to meet the bees. Suitable for all ages and developmental stages. It’s on Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th and Friday 27th October, 10am-3pm, at Platt Fields Market Garden (off Mabfield Road, Fallowfield, M16 6LT). Booking is essential through Eventbrite. If a session is full, please join the online reserves list. If you can no longer make your booking, please select 'refund ticket' on Eventbrite to enable someone on the waiting list to take your space. Please contact Siân on 07506 342945 or hello@manchesterbeesforestschool.co.uk with any queries. Read 5-star Google reviews from other SEN/D parents.

Community Kitchen - NEW!

The Community Kitchen will be returning for half term. The three sessions are Monday 23rd and Friday 27th October, 2.30-5.30pm and Wednesday 25th October 4.30-6.30pm. They’re for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) to come with their families and cook (and eat!) together, learning about healthy food and cooking skills and BBQ techniques. All food and tuition provided. The sessions are for families living in the Manchester City Council area and are at Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. There will also be chance during the breaks for families to ride bikes provided by Manccycles, learning cycling and safety skills. Please arrive on time. Parking available. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132.

Bowling trip

Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey is organising a free trip to Hollywood Bowl in Ashton. It’s aimed at 14-25 year olds with SEND, living in the north of the city. Transport is by the Youth Zone bus on Wednesday 25th October, leaving 11.30am, returning 4.30pm. Reserve places by contacting Tia on 0161 203 5333 or tia.kelly@manchesteryz.org.

Sensory sessions 

Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill over the half term. There are spaces 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. 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.

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.

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.

N-ice skating

Free ice-skating is back by popular demand! 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.

Additional information: Sessions are with Skate Manchester at Cathedral Gardens. SPACE parent carers will be there half an hour beforehand to meet you. 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). 

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.

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.

Check out what's in your area and across the city this half term in Loads To Do.

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

Your parent carer forum

As parent/carers themselves, Manchester Parent Carer Forum understands the day-to-day challenges faced by parents/carers. Their aim is to give SEND families a voice and they do this by working in partnership with the Council and staff in health and education settings. The Forum also runs free events to keep parents/carers supported and informed. You can become a member for free. Get in touch using this online form or through Facebook.

Carers coffee morning

Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) on Monday 27th November, 10am-12 noon for a coffee morning at Martenscroft Nursery and Sure Start Centre in Hulme, 33 Epping Street, M15 6PA. It’s an opportunity to meet and chat to fellow parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in a relaxed and friendly setting and learn about the work of Manchester Parent Carer Forum. The Focused Support Team from Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) and Managed Clinical Services will be joining the morning to speak with parents and carers about resources to support children with learning disabilities and autism. Please book through MPCF.

Free communication workshop - THIS WEEK!

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.

Free school workshop

There is a free workshop at the end of the month for the city's parents/carers - Exploring Types of School and Support for Children with SEND. It’s on Monday 30th October, 12-2.30pm at Martenscroft Nursery School and Sure Start Children’s Centre, 33 Epping St, M15 6PA, with lunch at the start. The workshop, delivered by educational psychologists from One Education, aims to explain the different types of school and education support available to children and young people with SEND in the city, including mainstream and specialist schools. It will be particularly helpful for those with children transitioning to a different phase of education and/or who are getting new EHCPs. Booking essential through hosts, Manchester Parent Carer Forum, who co-produced the workshop with One Education.

Other news

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.

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). Check out our Local Offer directory for other providers. 

FUTURE DROP INS, 10am-12pm

Wednesday 15th November, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe

Wednesday 13th December, Moss Side Powerhouse

Cost of living updates

Manchester City Council has a free telephone line offering support and advice around benefits and rent, debt and paying bills, food support and help with getting online. Call 0800 023 2692, Monday to Friday, 9am-4.30pm. There is also the Council's Help with the cost of living crisis information hub. Carers Manchester has a Cost of Living Blog which is regularly updated with the latest news.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is helping low income and vulnerable households to access free energy efficiency measures that could lower energy bills. Find out more and check if you might be eligible.

The Government has announced that it will pay £300 to low-income households this November as part of its £900 cost of living support package. Most people on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits will receive a payment between 31st October and 19th November 2023. Those on tax credits only will receive the instalment between 10th and 19th November. Eligible households will receive £900 in three instalments across 2023/24.

Kidz to Adultz free event

Kidz to Adultz is back in Manchester on Wednesday 1st November, 9.30am-4pm at Manchester Central. Whether you're a parent, clinician, teacher, therapist, or healthcare professional, Kidz to Adultz North is your one-stop destination for discovering the latest innovations, products, and services designed to enhance the lives of children, young adults, their families and the professionals who support them. Find out more and register for free.

Out of school guidance

IPSEA’S free webinar, 'My child is out of school - what can I do?', provides valuable guidance for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who are currently out of school due to illness, exclusion, school anxiety, or lack of a school place. Delivered live by members of IPSEA’s expert legal team, it covers crucial topics, including: reasons why children may not be in school, what to do if a child or young person with an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan is out of school, what to do if a child or young person without an EHC plan is out of school, what the law says for different age groups, and next steps.

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. Closes 31st October.

Learn sign language for free

Manchester Deaf Centre (MDC) is working with Manchester Adult Education Service to offer a new programme of free British Sign Language courses to Manchester residents aged 19 or over. All courses are beginner level, with start dates in October, November and January. 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. Here is a video in BSL about the programme.

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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