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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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Our next drop in is on Wednesday 15th October, 10am-12pm at Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. 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. All welcome – including professionals.
FUTURE DROP INS, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 12th November - Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 10th December - Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
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Creative connection
(All ages) Manchester Literature Festival presents Creative Connection, a free celebration of creativity and inclusion on Friday 24th October, 1-2pm at the Performance Space in Manchester Central Library. It brings disabled and non-disabled students from Manchester and Salford together to share the songs they have developed with professional musicians over the week. Booking is encouraged - email miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.
Sibs sessions
(4+) Sibs are running two free festive art sessions on Saturday 22nd November for young sibling carers. The 10-11.30am session is for carers aged 4-10 and the second one, at 1-2.30pm, is for 11+. You’ll get a box posted to your home with everything siblings need to complete the activity, except scissors. The online sessions are being run in conjunction with Artpod, with funding from The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. Book places.
Disability swimming
(6+) Did you know there’s a disability swimming club at Wythenshawe Forum on Saturdays, 9-10am, all year round? It’s for disabled children aged 6+. A carer is encouraged to join the child for swim support. Annual membership is £22, plus sessions at £8 per month or on a £2 pay as you go scheme. Contact Cath on 07586 651848 to discuss eligibility and see if places are available.
See you in the pool
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), learning to swim can be an especially empowering and enjoyable experience. Watch our 'See You in the Pool' video. Co-produced with parents and expert swimming instructors, this short video offers practical advice, top tips, and tailored exercises that can really help your child on their ‘learn to swim’ journey.
Fun Palaces
(All ages) Join Manchester Libraries for Fun Palaces this Saturday 4th October. There are free drop in events at Central Library in the city centre, as well as North City, Longsight and Wythenshawe libraries. See this Libraries blog for times and the fun happening at each site.
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There’s a great new travel training resource on the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website. It can be used by young people and their families to design their own travel training, as well as schools and groups. It includes an independent travel guide, including journey planning, ticketing, staying safe and overcoming common challenges – plus an easy read version. There are also specially made videos on how to use the bus, tram and trains, as well as buying and using tickets.
The resource has been created to support young people on their journey towards independent travel whether for education, work or socialising. Find out more about travel training in the Greater Manchester area.
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Parent carer workshop
Would you like to learn more about the different types of school and education support available to pupils with SEND in Manchester? If yes, book onto Manchester Parent Carer Forum's workshop on Tuesday 21st October, 10am-12pm at Crossacres Family Hub, Poundswick Lane, Wythenshawe, M22 9TA. North Manchester session coming soon!
SEN support survey
Ordinarily Available Provision outlines the range of support, strategies and activities that are easily available in schools for children with additional needs, without need for a formal diagnosis or specialist support. It's time to update the guidance. Find a short Council survey on MPCF's website. Responses welcomed from parents and carers, school leaders health professionals, and other practitioners who support children’s access to education.
Neuroprofiling feedback
Manchester is introducing a neuroprofiling tool to help support children and young people. It’s a way of thinking about children’s and young people’s needs, strengths and preferences, including communication, impulse control and sensory experiences. There’s a Neuroprofiling Feedback Workshop with MPCF on Friday 17th October, 12-2pm, at Moss Side Millenium Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. If you would like to be part of discussions around this, book your place.
Coffee morning
The next coffee morning with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) is on Friday 10th October, 10am-12pm 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. Book through Eventbrite.
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Local Offer podcast
The second Manchester Local Offer podcast has landed! In this episode, Caprice chats with Beck about his visits to local SEND services, including the Community Kitchen and Simply Cycling. Plus, we hear from young people at Piper Hill Post-16 about their hopes for safer travel:
The Local Offer Podcast is created by the digital team at SENDCode and supported by interns from DISC (Digital Independent Specialist College). Listen to episode 1.
Manchester Carers Centre
We were sad to hear that Manchester Carers Centre is closing after nearly thirty years supporting the city’s carers. Here is their statement about the closure. If you are a carer affected by this news and are unsure where to turn, contact the Carers Manchester Contact Point for information, guidance, and support.
Online support groups
Neurodiverse Connection is a Community Interest Company (CIC) delivered and led by neurodivergent team members. They offer three online groups for autistic people:
- Late-discovered Meet Up
- Autistic Men’s Meet Up
- Black Autistic Meetup
Find out more about the groups and what Neurodiverse Connection offers.
Planning for the future
Contact is offering a free will and trusts webinar on Thursday 23rd October at 10am. Philip Warford from Renaissance Legal will explain how families and carers can ensure that someone with a learning disability is taken care of when they are no longer around. Spaces are limited - register now.
Home support
Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during the early years when children are young. Home-Start is a family support charity offering weekly home visits from trained volunteers to families with at least one child under five. Although they support families across the city, waiting times are currently shorter in North Manchester. Families can refer themselves or ask a professional like a Health Visitor or GP to do it. Learn more.
Puberty guidance
NSPCC Learning have updated their resources on navigating puberty for children and young people with learning disabilities. There’s advice and practical tips exploring what puberty is and how to support children through the physical and emotional challenges that it brings. It includes a new series of symbolised books on topics like periods and body hair.
Get online
Do you have internet access at home or a device but lack the skill or confidence to use it? There is support available from the Digital Inclusion team at Manchester City Council. Learn how set up an email address, use social media, book GP appointments and more. Text 07860 064128 and the team will get back to you or email digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk. Learn more at Let’s Get Digital.
The Digital Inclusion Team are running two events for Get Online Week. The first is at Central Library on Tuesday 21st October from 1pm to 4pm, featuring 3D printing demos, help with exploring family history online, and a range of digital support stalls. The second event is at Gorton Hub on Thursday 23rd October, also from 1pm to 4pm, with stalls promoting digital services and sessions on using devices, job searching online, and staying safe on the internet.
Carers 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.
Travel alert - LATEST!
Some bus services across Greater Manchester will be disrupted this week, with staff at bus operator Metroline set to go ahead with planned strikes. While some industrial action has been called off – meaning many buses will run as normal - some services will be impacted by action from Tuesday 30th September to Thursday 2nd October. Keep updated!
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Be a Changemaker
Young people aged 14 to 25 are invited to join the Changemakers. It’s a way for disabled and neurodivergent young people in the city to have a voice about the things that matter to them and make positive changes to services. It’s fun too, with a chance to make friends and learn new skills. The Changemakers meets every Thursday, 5-7pm at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN), 45-50 Oldham Street, M4 1LE. To find out more, contact changemakers@gmyn.co.uk. You can also speak to Liv on 07708 028312.
Call for young people
The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) is looking for young people to join their new Young Black and Global Majority NCB Advisory Group. It’s open to young people aged 11-18 identifying as Black and Global Majority or 11-24 if you have a special educational need. As a member, you will join 4 in-person meetings a year at the NCB’s London offices, where you will learn new skills, meet new people, and have access to amazing opportunities. Apply using this short application form by Monday 6th October.
WORK AND TRAINING
Deaf digital productions
Reform Radio have a new Deaf Digital Productions programme for deaf people aged 18-35 living in Greater Manchester. Running for 3 weeks from 20th October to 7th November, it’s an opportunity to learn skills in creating videos and other online content. Sessions are free to attend with travel and lunch provided, and every session will have BSL interpreters. No experience needed. After the course, you will receive follow-on employment support for 12 weeks. If you need any support with your application or have any questions, please contact 07543 221800 or admin@boltondeafsociety.co.uk.
College open event
Are you between 16 and 18 years old and looking for somewhere to study after you finish school? The Manchester College has a 16-18 Open Event on Tuesday 7th October, from 5pm to 7pm. Choose which campus you want to attend (City Campus Manchester, Openshaw, Harpurhey or Wythenshawe) and:
- learn about courses
- tour the facilities
- watch live demonstrations and student showcases
- try interactive activities linked to your favourite subject areas
Staff from their SEND/EHCP Supported Learning and EHCP Transition Team will be around for learners with additional needs. When you register, you can say if you need support from this team.
Work support
If you are in work but looking to move into a better paid job, Ambition Manchester can help. Their one to one support is led by what you want to focus on, whether that’s writing applications, interview skills or gaining more confidence. They can look at what’s holding you back – if you need reasonable adjustments for interviews or to do some training. Whatever your disability or neurodivergence, the team will gear things to your needs, communicating in ways that you prefer. You can also have a family member or support worker with you. Find out more about Ambition Manchester - there's also this video. The webpage has a link to a short online assessment to apply. If you need support with this or have any questions, get in touch with Karen Fisher - 07773 932 832, Karen.Fisher@manchester.gov.uk.
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