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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 first drop in of the year is on Wednesday 14th January, 10am-12pm, at Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL. These monthly free events are aimed at 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. No diagnosis needed. Professionals welcome too.
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Understanding SEND Support
We have a new guide to help you navigate the processes around SEND Support in early years, schools and post-16 education in Manchester. 'Understanding SEND Support' lets you know where to get guidance and support – and about your rights too. Thanks to Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group for helping co-produce the guide. Read it in newsletter format or online in the Local Offer website.
Contact's workshops
The charity Contact still have spaces on their January and February workshops. All workshops for parents/carers are free, including a range of topics for the under fives. See their Eventbrite page for upcoming sessions.
Support from Peeps
Peeps is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting families when a baby experiences a brain injury called H.I.E. (Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy). This condition occurs when a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen or blood around the time of birth. Peeps provide free or low-cost services to help families, including information and resources, mental health support, peer support, and financial and practical help. Contact info@peeps-hie.org, 07838 197945 - www.peeps-hie.org
SEND Dads Society
The next gathering of the SEND Dads Society is on Thursday 22nd January, 7.30-9pm at Heaton Park Golf Club, Middleton Road, Prestwich, M25 2SW. This monthly gathering offers a welcoming, judgement-free space for peer-to-peer support and open conversation. The group is supported by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and meets every third Thursday of the month. Contact 07940 560655.
Dudes'n'Dads talk
The Centre for Autism Wellbeing’s next free online talk is ‘Why We Need a Space For NaDDs (Neuroaffirming Dudes 'n' Dads)’. Delivered by Mike Karasinksi, it’s about the journey that led to the creation of a much-needed social space for neurodivergent people who identify as male or are the parent/guardian of a neurodivergent child. It’s on Thursday 15th January, 7.00-8.30pm on Teams. Find more information and register.
Coffee morning
The next coffee morning with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) is on Friday 16th January 2026, 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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Autism Central
Autism Central offers free one-to-ones to autistic and non-autistic family members and carers, including parents, partners and relatives, as well as friends and colleagues. There are also free group events for families of autistic people to reflect and work together, sharing knowledge and skills. The peer-led sessions, delivered by Anna Freud, are grounded in lived experience and research.
Autism Central also has a You Tube channel. Here is one of the videos – An introduction to neurodiversity. Sign up to their learning platform for free courses, resources and peer support by clicking ‘Log in or register’ on the top right of their homepage.
SCP workshops
Manchester’s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) has two rolling programmes of workshops for parents and carers of children who are on the waiting list for an autism assessment with Manchester SCP or have had a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. There are general in-person workshops for parents/carers, covering neurodiversity and wellbeing, communication differences, sensory differences, and working with the education system. There is also an Early Years (3-5 years) online programme on four themes - toilet training, eating challenges, community play, and sensory.
Find out what workshops are coming up on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website.
Safety resources
A study between Nottingham University and Newcastle University has led to the development of a new Autism Adapted Safety Plan. Written in a person’s own words, it is a series of steps they can follow to help keep themselves safe if thinking about self-harm or suicide. See this Mental Health in Autism webpage to download the template or access an online version.
The Zero Suicide Alliance offers free Autism and Suicide Awareness training aimed at people who are part of the autistic community or work with autistic people. It was co-produced with people from the autistic community and developed with funding and support from Greater Manchester Suicide Prevention Board.
Puberty guide
Greater Manchester Autism Consortium (GMAC) has developed a guide on female puberty, in partnership with a group of autistic adults. The came idea from Vicky Ellen who interviewed over 40 women in her MA dissertation research.
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Money matters
Universal Credit exemption
In couples who both provide care, only one parent can have automatic exemption from work-related requirements in their Universal Credit award. The Department of Work and Pensions has a discretionary power to exempt the other parent. The charity Contact explain how you can ask for this to happen.
Trust fund update
The charity Contact have a new flowchart aimed at simplifying the steps for families of disabled young people attempting to access their Child Trust Fund (CTF) savings. The flowchart is designed as an essential ‘first steps’ tool, providing a clear, step-by-step path to help you work out what to do next. Learn more about Contact’s Child Trust Fund savings campaign.
Help with energy
Groundwork’s team of friendly Green Doctors offer free impartial advice to help people take control of their bills and save energy in the home. See if you are eligible for a free Green Doctor home visit. Learn more from Groundwork about getting energy help.
Not in school report
In December, Ofsted published a report – Beyond the classroom: the experiences of children with SEND who are not in school. This was following a SEND Thematic Review by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last February. Ofsted and the CQC make a series of thematic visits each academic year exploring an aspect of the SEND system in depth. Manchester was one of the six local authorities visited as part of this review. Thank you to all the young people, parents/carers and professionals who took part.
National review
In early December, the Government announced an independent review of mental health, ADHD and autism. It is expected to take three to six months and inform implementation of the new NHS Long Term Plan. The charity Contact has a summary, with some thoughts from their Chief Executive, Anna Bird.
Free BSL course for 12-16s
There are still a few places on Manchester Deaf Centre’s free Signature Level 1 BSL course for deaf teenagers (ages 12–16) in Manchester, funded by the Birkdale Trust. The class runs on Mondays from 4.30–6pm during term time, January to December 2026, starting on 19th January. Sessions are at Manchester Deaf Centre (M13 9GH), with snacks and drinks provided. Parents/carers welcome to observe. Email Helen to book a place: CYPS@manchesterdeafcentre.com. Here’s a BSL video with this information.
Staying safe online
Here are some resources around online safety:
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Get Safe Online has lots of tips and advice, as well as a scam detection tool. Upload a suspicious text or email or to Ask Silver and it will give you an idea of whether the communication is safe or a red flag for fraud.
- This Staying safe online information, includes a download from Ezra Rushen at SENDCode about limiting exposure to extremist or misogynistic (anti-women) content by setting up filters and controls. Find it in the Downloads section.
- Local Offer information around online safety for children with SEND.
Landline switchover
By January 2027, the old telephone network will be completely switched off, replaced by new digital landlines which work using broadband. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep using. If you have a family member or friend with additional needs, BT has put together a Conversation Toolkit to help you talk through what the switch means and how you can support them. Find the guide at the bottom of the Connected Together webpage.
Get nominating
The What Works in SEND Awards are open for nominations. Held by the Council for Disabled Children, they celebrate individuals and teams that make a difference every day. To make a submission, click on the category you are interested in. This includes The Service That Made the Difference to Me - children, young people and parents/carers can nominate a service or individual who has made a positive impact on their life. The closing date for nominations is 25th January.
Young carers news
The award for Manchester’s Young Carer Champion of 2025 is open for nominations. This is a chance to celebrate their hard work in schools and colleges and thank them for all they do. Young carers can nominate, as well as parents/carers and professionals. Learn about the latest Young Carer Champion, Joanne Pilling, of Co-op Academy Belle Vue. Nominate using this form.
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Share views on SEND system
The Schools White Paper will be published in 2026 and set out the proposed national reforms to the SEND system. The Government wants to hear about your views and experiences of the SEND system to help shape the policy in the White Paper. Contribute to the conversation by Wednesday 14th January. A formal public consultation on some aspects of the SEND plans will be launched alongside publication of the Schools White Paper.
Youth review
The Government has launched a review to investigate why so many 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET). They are calling for evidence from young people, families and employers. The charity Contact urges disabled young people to be part of this conversation. Closes Friday 30th January.
Manchester's budget
Share your views as Manchester City Council prepares to set the budget for 2026/2027. Help shape decisions around council tax increases and priorities for the future. Find out more and have your say. Closes Wednesday 28th January.
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Recruitment fair
Manchester College's Recruitment Fair on Supported internships and pre-internships is on Friday 23rd January, 11am to 1pm at the Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road M11 2WH. Aimed at students aged 16-24 with an EHCP, it’s an opportunity to learn more and meet with tutors and job coaches. There are internships on offer at Salford Quays, Manchester Library, Manchester Airport, City Labs at Oxford Road, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester College. Register here. If you need more information, contact Jane Fahy at JFahy@tmc.ac.uk.
Learn with MAES
Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) has a range of free courses starting in January for city residents age 19+. If you’re disabled or neurodivergent, there’s a Learning Support team who can provide a learning plan that works for you. Support could include adjustments in class and for exams, additional learning support and assistive technology. See the MAES website for courses and how to register. If you would like to speak to someone, call the friendly business support team on 0161 219 6733. Here is information on financial support and other sources of help while studying with MAES.
Rio Ferdinand Foundation
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation works across the UK and Ireland, including a hub in Manchester. Find out about opportunities for young people to develop skills, build networks, and access paths that enable them to reach their full potential in life. For more information, please email ryan@rioferdinandfoundation.com.
Exciting vacancies
Happy Smiles Training, a disabled people-led community interest company, has a number of vacancies. The application deadline is midnight on Sunday 11th January. If you need the information in any other format, contact the team at info@happysmilestraining.co.uk.
King's Trust opportunities
2026 marks 50 years since The King’s Trust began. During the year, there will be lots of great courses for young people aged 16-30 to get involved with. Interested? Sign up to get information.
One of the opportunities on offer is The King’s Trust Development Awards. Apply for a grant of up to £500 to cover the cost of course fees, tools or equipment to help you achieve your goals. You need to be aged 16-30 and studying less than 14 hours a week/not in compulsory education or unemployed/working less than 16 hours a week. Find out more about the awards.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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