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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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TOMORROW! Our November drop in is on Wednesday 12th November, 10am-12pm at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. See the Drop in bulletin.
LAST DROP IN OF THE YEAR - This is on Wednesday 10th December at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe. As it’s in the run up to Christmas, it’s likely not to be as busy, giving you time to chat to services and other parents/carers.
Future drop in, 10am-12pm:
Wednesday 14th January 2026, Moss Side Powerhouse
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AT TOMORROW'S DROP IN - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!
FREE TICKETS TO THE WOMEN'S MANCHESTER DERBY!
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Any United and City fans? Get complimentary tickets to the Women’s Manchester Derby, this Saturday 15th November at the Etihad stadium, 1.30pm kick-off.
Tickets are for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and can be collected at the Manchester Local Offer drop in tomorrow, Wednesday 12th November, 10am-12pm, Manchester Youth Zone in Harpurhey.
You’ll need to give your family name and contact number when you sign for the tickets and agree that you won’t sell or pass them on. See you at the drop in!
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SEND COMMUNITY OFFER
Relaxed cinema
(All ages) Manchester Parent Carer Forum hold regular relaxed cinema showings in Manchester. These are part of the SEND Community Offer and free to families living in the Manchester City Council area. Siblings without SEND are welcome. SEND-friendly features include:
- Run by parent carers with lived experience so there’s empathy and understanding
- A quieter experience
- It’s okay to be late or leave early
The next showing is Saturday 22nd November, 11am-1pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. The film is yet to be decided. Vote here (closes 6pm, Thursday 13th November). Book through Eventbrite.
OTHER STUFF TO DO
Limitless cycling
(Various ages) The National Cycling Centre is excited to announce a Limitless Cycling Day on Saturday 6th December. This special event, in partnership with British Cycling Limitless, is designed to welcome disabled people into an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment to discover (or rediscover) the joy of cycling. There’s a range of opportunities, including track and tandem cycling, BMX, mountain biking, ICE trikes, hand trikes, children’s trikes, and more — all supported by qualified coaches, pilots, and mechanics. Check out this registration form which has information on the sessions. One of the team will be in touch with further details, including session times, and to discuss any needs. Disabled participants have priority, but if there are spare places, siblings are welcome to join in.
The centre runs three Limitless sessions each week:
- Limitless BMX: Tuesdays 6-7pm
- Limitless Track Solo: Thursdays 5-6pm
- Limitless Track Tandem: Thursdays 5-6pm
For more information, please email cyclingcentre@gll.org or call 0161 223 2244.
Wheels for All
After such a fantastic response to their first Taster Day at Debdale Park, Wheels for All are doing it again. They invite organisations, health and wellbeing professionals, and local groups to join them for another opportunity to experience inclusive cycling on Friday 14th November, 12.30pm-2.30pm. Try the full range of adapted cycles and learn how inclusive cycling supports people living with disabilities or conditions that limit movement. Book your time slot.
(All ages) Wheels for All delivers and supports inclusive low-cost cycling sessions across Greater Manchester, ensuring anybody and everybody, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of cycling. Find out more.
Free ParaNetball
(11-25 yrs) Free ParaNetball sessions are still running for young people aged 11 to 25 who are deaf or disabled. They’re for both girls and boys, and siblings are welcome. There are three sessions:
- First Saturday of month, 10-11am, Wright Robinson College, Off Falmer Road, Abbey Hey Lane, M18 8RL
- Second Saturday of month, 10-11am, Warrington Youth Zone
- Third Saturday of month, 10-11am, Priestnall Sports Centre (Priestnall school), Heaton Mersey, Stockport
Find more information and register for sessions. The current contact is Jo at Paranetball@manchesterthunder.co.uk.
Junior PARS
(5-17 yrs) Manchester has a free 10-week programme for children and young people aged 5-17 who are over a healthy weight. MoreLife Junior Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) connects young people to inclusive sports and activities in their local neighbourhood to support a more active lifestyle. For referrals, speak to your GP practice, school nurse, or any other health professional, or self-refer via this link - https://secure.refer-all.net/referrals/manchester/refer. You are also welcome to contact the practitioner in or near your area to discuss your child’s needs:
Contact juniorpars@more-life.co.uk, 0161 511 0300.
Mini members
(3-7 yrs) There’s a fully inclusive Mini Members Club for children aged 3 to 7 and their parents/carers at Manchester Youth Zone 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8A. Sessions are Saturdays 11.30am-12.30pm and include arts and crafts, sports and messy play. Siblings welcome. Contact Sade for more information on 07513 673841 or Sade.Matthews-Kay@Manchesteryz.org.
(8-25 yrs) Manchester Youth Zone also runs two Inclusion Sessions every Sunday: 10.30am-1pm for children aged 8 to 14; 12.30-3pm for young people aged 15 to 25. Email Tyler.Oliver@manchesteryz.org.
Wellbeing group
(15-25 yrs) There’s a free Young People’s Wellbeing Group for 15 to 25 year olds with SEND where they can learn, play, build new friendships and gain confidence. Run by charity Kids, it meets on Monday evenings, term time, 6.30-8pm at 422 Community Hub, M12 4EX in the Longsight and Ardwick area. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking and healthy living. Email: manchesterkids@kids.org.uk, 07815 922 910. Facebook page.
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. New events coming up - bookings open 17th November on Eventbrite. Here’s a BSL version on You Tube.
See the Stuff to do highlights in the Local Offer SEND Information Hub for more sports and general activities.
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Christmas in the city
Manchester Christmas Markets are now open. All Manchester Christmas Market stalls are 100% accessible. Most are on street level and those that aren’t have accessibility ramps. There are reserved areas with priority seats for elderly or disabled people at Piccadilly Gardens, Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square. There are also accessible toilet facilities at these locations, as well as purpose-built accessible changing facilities in Piccadilly Gardens and on Mount Street, near Albert Square. Find out more about accessibility at this festive time, including other toilet facilities and recommended rest places.
Christmas parade
(All ages) The city’s free Christmas Parade is back on Sunday 7th December at 1pm. This year it’s bigger, brighter and more magical than ever. Expect giant reindeer, toy soldiers on Segways, the Elf Express – including Santa himself – and the brand-new Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle. More to come!
Events across the city in the run up to Christmas mean the transport network will be busier than usual. Plan your journey during these busy times.
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Up for an award
Congratulations to Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) for being shortlisted in the Disability Impact category at the very first Global Champion Awards. The award category recognises organisations or projects that champion the empowerment of individuals with disabilities, promoting accessibility, inclusivity and independence. The Forum team, mostly volunteers, has a shared passion for making things better for Manchester SEND families and giving them a voice. Thank you for everything you do!
Forward together
The Forward Together project invites parents and carers of individuals with severe or profound learning disabilities living in Manchester or Salford to a Community of Practice (CoP) event on Tuesday 18th November, 10am-2pm. This drop in event is at the Irish World Heritage Centre, 1 Irish Town Way, Cheetham Hill M8 0AE. It’s a chance to meet other families and find information on local and national support for your family. You’ll be able to meet Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and there’ll be a Manchester Local Offer stall too. See MPCF's website for more about the event.
Family law session
There’s a ‘Family Law: Looked After Children’ presentation on Thursday 4th December, 12.30-2.30pm at Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. It will be delivered by students from The University of Law and is free for parents and carers of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent children and young people in the city of Manchester. Learn about the law around children who are under the care of the Local Authority and the rights of Looked After Children when they turn 18. Find out more from MPCF.
Festive card competition
Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s annual design competition is back! There are three categories this year, including one for siblings and parents/carers. There are various ways to submit artwork – see MPCF’s website. Winners will get a £10 Asda or Amazon voucher and see their designs in an app that can be used to send free virtual festive cards to family and friends. Thanks to Local Offer funding, the winning designs will also be printed – pick up copies at the December drop in. Competition closes 12pm on Saturday 22nd November.
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Manchester’s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) has new Early Years online workshops. These are for parents and carers of children aged 3-5 who are on the waiting list for an autism assessment with any of the Manchester SCPs – North, Central and South – or post-diagnosis. The rolling programme has four themes:
- Toilet training: Session passed
- Eating challenges: Wednesday 26th November, 1-2.30pm
- Community play: Thursday 27th November, 10am-12pm
- Sensory: Tuesday 2nd December, 9:30am-12.30pm
Find out more about the workshops and book your place.
In-person workshops
The rolling programme of free in-person workshops continues for parents/carers whose children are either on the waiting list for assessment or have had a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Check out Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website for sessions coming up in the next few months.
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New web resource
Barriers to Education is a new practical and flexible web resource for everyone working to reduce barriers to education. It includes tools, information on burnout, and the newly-developed WARMTH framework. The project grew out of Spectrum Gaming, working with local authorities, health services, the voluntary sector and parent carer forums, as well as a large group of young people with lived experience.
Sensory workshop
The Council for Disabled children has a free online ‘Sensory Processing in the Early Years’ workshop for parents/carers. It’s on Wednesday 19th November, 6-9pm and will support parents and carers to understand sensory processing differences and offer strategies. Book your place.
Get to know where to go
When you use the right NHS service, you get the right treatment sooner. Find out where to go for minor illnesses, eye and dental problems, mental health support, urgent help and more. There is also this booklet for parents and carers of children under 5.
Your primary care
You have a right to primary care, the day-to-day healthcare that’s available close to where you live. It includes GP practices (GPs are doctors), community pharmacies (chemists), dentists and opticians (eye experts). This booklet will tell you all you need to know about primary care services to help you and your family get the care you need from the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
Planning for the future
The charity Contact recently partnered with Renaissance Legal to present a webinar on planning for the future. The webinar is now available to watch. There is also this additional information on wills and trusts.
Coaching - extended!
Carers Manchester have extended the registration deadline for their free employment coaching programme. You now have until 31st January 2026 to sign up for Employcare, an amazing 1-2-1 coaching opportunity. Whatever your goals, the team can help you get equipped to succeed. The opportunity is open to all carers and former carers aged 16 and over who live or care for someone in the Manchester City Council area. Learn more and sign up by emailing info@carersmanchester.org.uk or calling 0161 834 6069 [ext. 1133].
Diagnosis advice
Once you realise your child may have a learning difficulty or health problem, getting a diagnosis may take some time. If your child has an undiagnosed condition, you may worry that you might not be able to get any help or support. This is not the case. Every child is different, and your child is entitled to get support for their individual needs, regardless of whether they have a diagnosis. The Charity Contact have lots of information on their website all about diagnosis - take a look.
Call for foster carers
There is a shortage of foster carers in Manchester, especially for Short Breaks and respite carers of young people. If you have the skills, experience and time to help looked after children, whether for one day, one weekend in four or more, please feel invited to reach out to the team - enquire@fosterforgm.com, 0300 303 0321.
This short but powerful film – The Run – tells the story of Tom. It shows how a foster family provide the stability and security that allow him to thrive. Find out more about fostering in Manchester.
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In recent years, many of you will have had support from Margarette Lee-Champman, manager of the Special Educational and Disability Information, Advice Support Service Manchester - known as SENDIASS. Margarette, a regular face at the Local Offer drop ins, has now left the Council to explore new opportunities. We thank her for all her hard work in leading the local SENDIASS service, with its brilliant website, factsheets and podcasts – such a useful resource to families, as well as professionals. A special thank you from the parent carer groups for her ongoing support, including training volunteers around educational law.
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