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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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Manchester Local Offer is much more than a website - check out our new video! It’s just over a minute long and full of friendly faces from the world of SEND in Manchester. We won’t say any more – have a watch!
One of the best ways to keep up to date is through this newsletter. If you would like to get it directly in your inbox, you can sign up through the Council e-bulletin system. Here is some guidance on how to do this.
A big thank you to everyone who took part in the new video and for all you do in the city!
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Our next drop in is on Wednesday 15th November, 10am-12pm, at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway, Wythenshawe M22 1QW. These monthly free events are for parent/carers living in the Manchester City Council area, offering a chance to talk to a range of services and get support from other parents.
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Find out about supported internships at the drop in. These are pathways to employment for young people aged 16-24 with SEND who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 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-12 noon:
Wednesday 13th December, Moss Side Powerhouse
Wednesday 10th January 2024, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
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Free activities for children and young people with SEND and their families living in the Manchester City Council area
Flip is back
Flip is back! These free music-making and skateboarding sessions are at Projekts skatepark near Piccadilly Station every Wednesday 4.30-6.30pm. It is a chance for young people with SEND aged 11-25 who live in the Manchester City Council area to enjoy an hour of skateboard coaching, followed by an hour of music-making with Billy and Andy who offer accessible music workshops. Families are welcome to hang out in the cafe during the sessions or watch the skateboarders from the viewing balcony. To book places, contact info@billyandandy.co.uk, 07429 826053.
Saturday Cycling
MANCCYCLES and GMYN offer an exciting opportunity for young people aged 11-16 with SEND and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs living in the Manchester City Council area. Riding sessions are every Saturday 11am-3pm, meeting at the Procter Learning Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Bikes, helmets and other safety equipment are provided for cycle routes across Greater Manchester, along with regular bike maintenance sessions. All young people take part in a pre-ride induction before attending Saturday rides but need to be competent riders. Contact Roger Newell at MANCCYCLES for more information and to book places – info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132.
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Manchester Parent Carer Forum |
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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.
See Carers Manchester events for more carers get-togethers in the city
Communication Pathway Workshops
There are free Social Communication Pathway workshops coming up for parents/carers, including Thursdays 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th November at Moss Millennium Powerhouse, 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL. There are separate sessions for primary and secondary school-aged children and they include language and communication strategies and how to promote development. As a post-diagnostic workshop, these sessions are 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.
Family law session
There is a free session for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Manchester. Delivered by students from The University of Law, ‘Family Law – Looked After Children’ is on Wednesday 6th December, 10am-12pm at St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester, M12 6FZ. The session will cover: looked after children in care of the local authority, parental responsibility, types of contact, and best interests of the child and court proceedings. Booking through Eventbrite - find out more.
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Parent/Carer Winter Fair
There is a Parent/Carer Information Day and Winter Fair on Thursday 30th November from 10am-1pm with Bright Futures at Melland High School, Gorton Education Village, M18 7DT. There are services and support galore, as well as crafts, raffle, tombola, cakes and drinks! See the flyer to find out who will be there.
Flu vaccinations
Catching flu can cost you in many ways, including your time. It can be up to two weeks of feeling ill. A flu jab is free and done in minutes. It is offered to carers but you need to be registered with your GP as a carer. Check if you or your child should have it. Here is some easy read information for parents/carers about the flu jab for children. You can have your flu vaccine at a GP surgery or pharmacy – find locations using this NHS link. If you’re able to get a Covid-19 booster dose and a flu vaccination at the same time, it is safe to do so, although not all providers offer this.
Calm clinics
There are some calm clinics coming up for Covid and flu vaccinations:
Saturday 11th November at Heathfield Resource Centre, Heathfield Street, Newton Heath, M40 1LF from 10am-2pm
Saturday 18th November at Hall Lane Resource Centre, Hall Lane, Baguely, M23 1WD from 10am-2pm
Saturday 25th November at Ross Place Resource Centre, Aked Close, Ardwick, M12 4AN from 10am-2pm
Appointments can be booked by calling the Gateway on 0161 947 0770. They can book free taxis for you to and from the appointment and a BSL interpreter if needed. There won’t be any rush. You can have a drink and sit down first, and a quiet space will be available. See the easy read version of this information.
Mobile phones in schools
England will be banning use of mobile phones in schools. However, schools must remember their duty to make reasonable adjustments to avoid discrimination. For disabled pupils or those with special educational needs (SEN) or a medical condition, this might be access to their mobile phone. Find out more from Contact.
Free school meals resources
The charity Contact has created more resources and templates to help families whose disabled child is eligible for free school meals but can’t access them in the standard way.
Trust fund update
Could your child have a pot of cash sat waiting to be claimed? If your child was born between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011, the government gave you a voucher worth between £250 and £750 to encourage you to open a Child Trust Fund. If you were one of the 1.7 million parents who forgot to do anything with the voucher, the government invested the voucher on your child’s behalf. There’s likely to be a minimum of £100-£500 in the account, and the average balance is £2,100. Find out about Child Trust Funds from Contact.
New autism group
Black Autism Manchester is a new community group for black women and non-binary people of African-Caribbean decent with presumed or diagnosed autism. The group is to create a safe space to empower and encourage members to share their lived experiences, embrace their neurodiversity as a community, and build a support network. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a member, sign up using this form. Find out more through this link or by emailing Peche Agbasonu at blackautismmanchester@gmail.com.
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The Be Proud Awards celebrate the city's many volunteers and unsung heroes who make our city great. Manchester is very lucky to have so many fantastic parents/carers and young people with SEND giving their time to make things better in the city. The awards are a way to thank individuals and groups for their hard work. Show someone you appreciate them by making a nomination today.
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Embark on a magical journey through the streets of Manchester this Christmas as the city celebrates the festive season with a series of free Festive Sundays to enchant and surprise visitors of all ages. Festive Sundays will see roaming performers and illuminated acts take to the shopping streets across St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square and Manchester Arndale.
Check out Loads To Do for what's coming up in your local area and across the city during the festive season
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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