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The latest news and updates for parents/carers
and children and young people 0-25 years with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND) in the Manchester City Council area
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As we’ve shared previously, Manchester has been chosen by the Department for Education to lead the North West Change Programme Partnership. We want Manchester parents, carers and families to be fully involved in this work. Your ideas and feedback are at the heart of it.
You are warmly invited to an event on Tuesday 17th September at The Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, M2 5NS starting at 10.15am (from 9.45am for coffee/teas) until 2pm, lunch included. It’s a chance to hear about the Change Programme and share your views, as well as finding out more about the SEND offer in Manchester for children and young people. As well as workshops, there will be a range of stalls, including parent carer groups, young carers, Family Hubs, and Child Friendly city/Children’s Rights. If you’re interested in having more of say, this is the place to meet parent carers who are helping shape services in the city. Professionals welcome too!
Booking will be through Eventbrite but isn't yet live.
Keep an eye on the link below.
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Our next Local Offer drop in is on Wednesday 25th September at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Portway Manchester, Wythenshawe, M22 1QW, 10am-12pm. Look out for our drop in newsletter nearer the time.
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Future Drop Ins, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 16th October, Moss Side Power House
Wednesday 20th November, Ladybarn Community Hub
Wednesday 11th December, Manchester Youth Zone
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SEND Community Offer
Did you know there are free weekly cycling sessions for young people aged 11-16 with SEND or emotional and mental health needs, living in the Manchester City Council area? They’re 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.
‘When my son first started cycling with you, he was shy, uncomfortable being around others and struggling with mental health issues. He is so much more confident and happier in himself now. Thank you!'
OTHER STUFF TO DO
Triple C Theatre Group
TripleC, a disabled-led creative arts organisation, have a free Youth Theatre designed for deaf, disabled and or neurodivergent young people aged 8 to 16 with a passion for the performing arts. The new term starts on September 16th and runs until December 2024 at 53two in the city centre, Arch 19, Watson St M3 4LP. The sessions, led by professional actors and directors, is in two age groups: 8-11 years, 4.30-5.30pm and 12-16 years, 6-7.30pm. If anyone starts late or misses a couple of sessions, there won’t be any pressure to catch up. Find out more about the Youth Theatre and sign up for the new term.
BSL story time
There’s a free British Sign Language story time session on Saturday 7th September at Manchester Central Library, 11am-1pm, in the Children’s Library (Lower Ground Floor). Run by Manchester Libraries and Manchester Deaf Centre’s Children and Young People’s Service, it’ll help deaf children and young people to nurture friendships, skills and confidence. It’s also a chance to learn some signs. Book through the Deaf Centre’s CYP Eventbrite page, which has other upcoming events.
Free sensory room
Benchill Children’s Centre has a sensory room that is free for Manchester families all year round. The room is a calming space filled with controllable sensory lights, soft cushions and a small box of toys. While the safe, non-judgemental environment of the children’s centre is an under 5’s service, anyone over this age is welcome to use the sensory room. Hour slots are available for up to 4 people, Monday to Friday, from 9am until 2.30pm - Benchill Children’s Centre, 22 Lyndene Road, Wythenshawe M22 4PZ. Please call 0161 529 0080 (option 5) to book.
Multisport sessions
There are Multisport Sessions for 5-10 year olds with SEND on Sunday mornings, 9am-10.30am, at Denmark Road Sports Centre, Ardwick, M15 6FG, £2. It’s an opportunity to explore a range of sports and games in a fun way, including basketball and cricket. Siblings welcome. There is some flexibility with the top age limit, but the general idea is that when children hit 10, they start transitioning into other sessions. This includes the Champions Sports Club on Friday evenings, 6-8pm, also at Denmark Road Sports Centre, aimed at 11 plus and including adults, £2. The first hour is a 'do what you choose' style session where people play a range of sports amongst themselves with support from the volunteer team; the second, a cricket session. No need to book for the sessions, but it’s helpful to let Jacob or Amlyn know you are coming for the first time – contact jacob@dosportuk.co.uk or alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk, 07799 639838.
Super 1s cricket
Super 1s is a Lord’s Taverners programme designed to give cricketing opportunities to young disabled people aged 12-25. There is a free session on Friday evenings, 7-8pm, at Denmark Road Sports Centre in Moss Side, M15 6FG (free or £2 if young people join the multi-sports with Champion’s Sports Club from 6-7pm). Not too far away in Swinton at Moorside High School, M27 0AP, there’s Disability Cricket on Thursday evenings, 6-7pm, a free session with opportunities to take part in competitions, festivals and workshops. Find out more on the Lancashire Cricket website. The contact is Amlyn Layton, 07799 639838, alayton@lancashirecricket.co.uk.
Free football
See our Local Offer directory entry for One City disability football activities with Manchester City. There are also sessions with the Manchester United Foundation (Ability Counts on a Friday is currently at full capacity).
For more free or low cost activities aimed at disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, see our Stuff to do - Highlights.
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Parent carer workshops
As well being involved in the Change Programme event (top of the newsletter), Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) have some workshops coming up in the early autumn.
Exploring Types of School and Support for Children with SEND
This free 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:
After diagnosis workshops
These free workshops 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. They rotate monthly between four topics: Autism and Well-being, Communication Workshop, Sensory Workshop, Understanding and Working with the Education System. Check out MPCF's website for sessions around the city coming up in the next few months.
There are also some new pages on the National Autistic Society website around diagnosis.
GMAC events
Greater Manchester Autism Consortium have updated their events page for the autumn, including new face to face sessions.
Have your say
We would like your help in improving services for children with SEND in the Early Years (age 0 to 5 years). The Council has commissioned a review of inclusive practice in the services it provides to look at what’s working and what could be better. There are a number of ways you can contribute, including:
- Online conversations (Thursday 26th September, 10-11.30am and 7-8.30pm)
- By email
- Doing a survey
Find out more on MPCF’s website. Any input you can offer is appreciated.
Money Matters
Cost of Living advice
Contact’s research shows that a third of families with disabled children have extra disability costs of over £300 per month. Disabled households are often limited in their opportunities for work due to caring responsibilities, and essentials like food and energy often cost more. Contact offer support around this and don’t want families to miss out. In the last year, their family finances team increased household incomes on average by £5,918 per eligible family. Find out more in their Cost of Living advice.
Energy support
Not all disabled households can reduce their energy or water usage. There is this helpful energy advice from Scope, letting you know what options are available and how to access to the support you are entitled to.
Carers Allowance overpayments
Carers UK have released a report about the experiences of unpaid carers with a Carer’s Allowance overpayment. The earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance is £151 per week and going over this limit by just a few pence means carers need to pay back 100% of their Carer’s Allowance for that week. If you've been affected by this and live in Manchester, please call Carers Manchester Contact Point and ask for their Welfare and Benefits Advisor.
Employment training
Are you an unpaid carer thinking about getting into work or training? Carers Manchester can help with free one-to-one employment coaching. Sign up to Employcare and get:
- One-to-one coaching in person, online or over the phone
- Assistance with CVs, cover letters, job-searching, interviews and more
- Tailored support to help you get closer to training or employment
- Advice on achieving your unique goals
- A £40 voucher upon completion of coaching
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). To sign up, please contact admin@carersmanchester.org.uk, 0161 834 6069 [ext. 1133].
Making decisions
As your child gets older, you might have to decide whether they’re able to make decisions for themselves. If not, there may be legal steps you can take to make decisions on their behalf. See this guidance from charity Contact.
Autumn vaccines
The following groups have been recommended to receive a Covid booster later this year: anyone aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, adults aged 65 years and over, and residents in a care home for older adults. Unpaid carers and household contacts of people with immunosuppression are no longer included. If your child is eligible, the NHS will contact you to book an appointment online, attend a walk-in service or arrange the vaccine with your GP. Find out more in this information from Contact which also includes news about flu vaccine for children.
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A message from Manchester City Council:
'Everyone who lives in this city has the right to call it their home; the place where they feel safe; and the place where they belong. But, for some of our people, those feelings have been replaced by fear after serious issues both here and across the country. We want everyone to know that we will never accept hatred based on skin colour or faith. We never want people to be too scared to go out, which is why we will be working even more closely with the police on what you tell us. We defeat hatred by keeping Manchester calm and strong, and by asking everyone to get updates only from places that they know are truthful and trusted. You can report a hate crime, such as racism, to Greater Manchester Police by calling 101 or going to a police station. Further details can be found on GMP’s website. If you are scared or need help for you or your community, please contact us on community@manchester.gov.uk. You won’t have to give your name and anything you say will be kept safe. Thank you, Manchester.'
For helpful information from Citizens Advice, see Get help if you’ve experienced a hate crime or hate incident.
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Disabled Living brings you Kidz to Adultz Exhibition North 2024 at Manchester Central on Friday 11th October 2024, 9.30am-4pm. This fantastic FREE event is an inclusive, vibrant space dedicated to children and young people with disabilities or additional needs. There are 100+ specialist exhibitors, plus a fun filled programme of interactive sessions and activities, including a Gaming Zone, Wheelchair skills, Kidz Fun Hub, Storytime and Soft play area. It’s a perfect opportunity for children to come and test equipment and products, be involved in the fun and make new friends. There’s a full CPD and educational seminar programme too for professionals and parents, on a range of hot topics delivered by renowned experts. Don’t miss out – register today!
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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