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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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Inclusion in Manchester
Tuesday 24th June, 10am to 2.30pm, The Mechanics Institute
What is it?
One of a series of free events for parents/carers and practitioners as part of the North West Change Programme Partnership.
Why should I come?
It’s a chance to:
- Get an update on the Change Programme Partnership
- Learn the impact of the feedback from last September’s event
- Give your views on SEND matters, including inclusive mainstream provision
- Find out about SEND support in the city
Will there be workshops?
Yes! Following feedback from parents/carers, there'll be more of them and a wider range of subjects.
Where is it?
The Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street M1 6DD (use side entrance on Major Street). Lunch provided, limited number of creche places available.
When can I book?
Look out for a special bulletin in early June.
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Our next drop in is on Wednesday 21st May, 10am-12pm, at Crossacres Family Hub, Poundswick Lane, Wythenshawe M22 9TA. These monthly free events are for parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area. They offer a chance to talk to a range of services and get support. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis. All welcome – including professionals. See our May drop in bulletin for more information.
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FUTURE 2025 DROP INS, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 18th June, Moss Side Powerhouse
Wednesday 16th July, Manchester Youth Zone
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Mcr Social events for 14-17s
MCR Social at Greater Manchester Youth Network has a great line up of half term activities as part of the SEND Community Offer for young people living in the Manchester City Council area who are 14-17 years old and neurodivergent and/or disabled. To get registered, a supporting adult, such as a parent, carer or social worker, needs to fill in this online form. You will then be sent a full list of activities to sign up for. Siblings who are 14-17 but don't identify as disabled or neurodivergent can join in too. Activities are:
- Saturday 24th May: Art Session, 11am-2pm, Manchester Art Gallery
- Sunday 25th May: Movie Night, 4-7pm, GMYN
- Monday 26th May: Football and Basketball, 5-7pm, Platts Lane Sports Complex
- Tuesday 27th May: Skateboarding, 1.30-3.30pm, Projekts
- Wednesday 28th May: Theatre Workshop, 6-8pm, Lowry
- Thursday 29th May: Nature Workshop, 11am-1pm, Castlefield Viaduct
- Friday 30th May: Video Games, 3-5pm, GMYN
For any further questions, contact Trystan at Greater Manchester Youth Network - trystan.kent@gmyn.co.uk, 07708 022320.
Sensory rooms
Spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House in Cheetham Hill, 4 St.Chad’s Street, M8 8QA, over the half term. There are slots available at various times between 9am-4pm (on the hour for 50 minutes) during weekdays from Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th May. This includes the additional bigger room, bringing all the sensory equipment together with some soft play. For SEND 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, Benchill Road, Wythenshawe M22 8EJ over half term. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. It's Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th May. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.
Holidays and Challah
There are a few places left on an inclusive, family-friendly workshop at Manchester Jewish Museum - ‘Holidays and Challah’ with Manchester Parent Carer Forum. Learn about Jewish festivals through the exploration of stories, rituals, and food. It’s on Wednesday 28th May, 10am-12pm at the museum on 190 Cheetham Hill Road, M8 8LW. For Manchester SEND families.
Free cycling for 11-16s
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.
Until mid-June, there are also sessions on Wednesday, 4.30-7.30pm, funded by the Targeted Intervention Group. Get in touch with Roger for places!
SEND-friendly swimming
Central
There are free inclusive swims at Moss Side Leisure Centre as part of the SEND Community Offer. Sessions are every Sunday 9-11.30am and are for families living in the Manchester City Council area. The swim provides a calm environment and a clear process from entry to the pool for children and young people with special needs and disabilities. Families can access the small pool and floats for family fun or use the main pool for lane swimming when available. There’s no need to book – just turn up at the leisure centre. Free to all the family.
North
There is a free weekly inclusive swim at the Abraham Moss Leisure Centre, Crescent Road, Crumpsall, M8 5UF, for families living in the Manchester City Council area. There are two sessions every Saturday between 12-2pm. Booking is arranged through The SPACE Group. It opens every Monday at 9am and closes on Wednesday at 6pm for the swimming session on the Saturday that week. (For example, 9am Monday 19th May to 6pm Wednesday 21st May for the swimming session on Saturday 24th May.) Text the word SWIMMING to 07749 116211 with the full names of anyone going in the pool, the children’s date of birth, postcode and preferred time 12-1pm or 1-2pm. Swimming is popular, so if you turn up without a confirmed booking you may not get in the pool.
Manchester residents aged 16 and under can swim for free during any ‘Swim for All’ session during school holidays and at selected times at the weekends during term time. Find out more.
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Stories Brought To Life
There’s a special offer for SEND groups at ‘Stories - Brought To Life’, a brand-new immersive art experience at Media City Salford inspired by The National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Tickets for a Relaxed Session on Monday 2nd June, running between 10am-12pm, are just £3 per person, with 2 free tickets for every 10 booked. Adjustments for these supported sessions include limited numbers, dimmed lights and reduced background music, and additional resources like bean bags, ear defenders and easy read. Children and young people from Key Stage 2 and above (age 7+) can engage with the artwork in their own way, freely expressing themselves. Coaches and minibuses can drop off at the Holiday Inn carpark. School/college staff and group organisers need to email schools@npgunframed.com.
Deaf Centre activities
The Children and Young People’s Service at Manchester Deaf Centre offers a range of events and activities for d/Deaf children and their families. Check out Eventbrite for what’s coming up in June. Here’s a BSL version on You Tube.
Inclusive basketball
There’s an inclusive basketball session for ages 10+ with DoSport and Manchester Eagles on Tuesday Evenings, 6-7pm, at the National Basketball Performance Centre, Kirkmanshulme Lane, M12 4TF. All sessions are based around fun, fitness, and basic basketball skills. Contact Jacob on jacob@dosportuk.co.uk or 07599 626131. There’s also an inclusive Champions Sports Club for 11+, including adults, on Friday evenings from 6pm to 8pm at Denmark Road Sports Centre in Ardwick, £2 per session. For 5-10 year olds with SEND, there’s Young ‘uns Multisport Sessions on Sunday mornings 9am to 10.30am at Denmark Road Sports Centre, Ardwick, M15 6FG, £2.
Flower Festival
Celebrate the start of summer at the Manchester Flower Festival from Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May - completely free and open to all. Wander through a Manchester city centre transformed by stunning floral installations and soak up the sunshine with family-friendly fun and live entertainment. Download the festival map.
Festival of Libraries
Festival of Libraries runs from Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th June and includes the following events:
- A drop in board games session at Manchester Central Library on Wednesday 4th June from 5-7pm. Open to all ages and abilities.
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Free Family Fun Day at Manchester Central Library on Sunday 8th June, 12-4pm. No need to book, just drop in!
Loads to do
Check out Loads To Do for what's going on in your local area and across the city during the half term. There's plenty on offer across parks, sports, libraries, galleries and more to keep you and your family entertained without breaking the bank. There's also Eat For Free - a list of places where kids can eat for £1 or free during the school holidays.
Check out our Stuff to do highlights in the Local Offer SEND Information Hub for more to do in the half term holidays.
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School transport applications
The deadline for applications for Home to School transport in the new school year is Friday 13th June. If your child already gets this transport, a new application is needed when:
- there is a change in circumstances such as home address, school site address, child’s needs or family circumstances
- The child is in a transition year, i.e. year 6 to year 7, even if it’s the same setting
A new application isn’t needed if the child’s circumstances remain the same and they’re not in a transition year. Find out how to apply. If you have any questions, please contact the Home to School Transport team on 0161 219 6400 (calls are taken by Environment on Call), email hometoschool@manchester.gov.uk. Applications will still be processed after the June deadline but there isn’t a guarantee of provision being in place for the new academic year.
Guidance on school travel
Most children make their own way to school, accompanied by their parents or independently if they are older. This isn’t possible for some disabled children, either because their school is too far away or because they are not able to walk or use public transport in the same way as other children. Local authorities must make free travel arrangements for these children. Here is Contact’s guidance on school transport for 5-16s in England, with additional information for over 16s.
Young Carers newsletter
Stay connected with everything happening through the Young Carers Partnership in Manchester. Explore the newsletters, including the latest issue and previous editions. The Young Carers hub has more resources, including information on rights, support, and tools for practitioners.
Help with holidays
Newman Holiday Trust
The Newman Holiday Trust have opened applications for this year’s summer holiday at Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe from Sunday 10th to Saturday 16th August. The trust provides respite breaks for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people (aged 4-18), supported by one to one workers. Find out more on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website. You can also meet the charity at our May drop in. Here’s the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Carefree breaks
Carefree offer low-cost short breaks in the UK for unpaid carers. After registering with them, you can browse the options and submit a request for a hotel on specific dates. Hotels donate 1-2 night breaks in a twin or double room, plus breakfast where possible, for you and a companion (adult or child, not the person being cared for). There’s no charge for accommodation, just a £33 admin fee to help with the cost of operating their charity. Carers need to be 18+ and full time (30 hours per week).
If you are a Manchester resident and a referral is made through the African Caribbean Care Group, they cover the £33 fee making the break completely free. Call 0161 226 6334 or email admin@accg.org.uk.
For more help with holidays, see Disabled Grants.
Online safety
Manchester Schools are hosting free workshops to help parents understand online risks and how to protect their children:
The Online Safety Hub, part of Manchester Safeguarding Partnership, provides up-to-date information on online safety and wellness for everyone involved in a child's life.
Our Manchester
Manchester City Council has launched the next ten-year phase of the Our Manchester Strategy. The aim is for Manchester to become the place people want it to be, based on residents’ hopes for the future. Find out more, plus a summary in British Sign Language.
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Adult ADHD services
NHS Greater Manchester invite people to take part in a consultation about the future of adult ADHD services. More people are being referred than the services were originally designed for. It means waiting times are getting longer and some people aren’t getting the support they need while they are waiting. Find all the information about the proposed changes to have your say. This includes a series of in-person and online events. Closes 17th June 2025.
The Autism Act
The Call for Evidence on the Autism Act runs until Monday 2nd June 2025. The House of Lords want to hear from autistic people (diagnosed or self-identified), families and carers, and professionals. You can send evidence in a way that works for you – a voice recording, for example – and you don’t need to answer every question. Here is easy read information.
Call for young people
Are you a young person aged 14-21 who would like a say in mental, physical, and public health in Greater Manchester? Youth Focus North West is recruiting for membership to their Children and Young People’s Shadow System Group. Use this form to express an interest. If you need support or would like to express your interest in another format, get in touch with Hannah - h.mcmullan@youthfocusnw.org.uk or call or text on 07731 999114. The deadline is Friday 6th June. There’s a Zoom session this Thursday 22nd May, 6-6.30pm, to hear more about the project and ask questions. Contact Hannah if you would like to join this.
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A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has shared their feedback on the Local Offer.
You still have until the end of May if you would like to tell us about your experience. What works and what needs improving? All feedback is anonymous.
Unsure what the Local Offer is? Watch our one minute film!
THANK YOU!
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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