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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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For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. More to come next week.
 Half term with MPCF
Bookings for the relaxed cinema and BMX sessions go live on Eventbrite at 6pm this evening (Wednesday 4th February).
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Inclusive BMX
(5+) MPCF has two Inclusive BMX sessions at the National Cycling Centre, inspired by Limitless BMX. Click on each event to find out more and get to the booking links:
Relaxed cinema
The next showing of the Relaxed Cinema with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Saturday 21st February, 11am-1pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. Film to be announced. The cinema is free to families living in the Manchester City Council area, including siblings without SEND. Popcorn included. Please book using this link.
More activities to come from MPCF, including bowling and a family fun day with Z-Arts. Keep an eye on their Spring half term break webpage.
Sensory rooms
(All ages) The Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre has been completely refurbished! There are free slots from Monday 16th to Friday 23rd, at the centre on Benchill Road, Wythenshawe, M22 8EJ. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area.
(All ages) Families can also spend time in the Sensory Rooms at Redbank House, 4 St.Chad’s Street, Cheetham Hill, 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 Monday 16th to Friday 20th February. 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.
Community Kitchen
(All ages) The Community Kitchen will be returning with a free session during February half term from 2.30-5.30pm. Roger doesn’t yet have the date but should know by this Friday – Monday at the latest. It’s an invitation for young people with SEND and/or social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH), living in the Manchester City Council area, to come with the family and cook (and eat!) together. Learn about healthy food and cooking, including BBQ skills in an alfresco style. The theme is based on traditional Caribbean foods and drinks, with vegetarian and vegan options. All food and tuition provided. It’s at Proctor Young People’s Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Parking available. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132.
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Limitless BMX
(7+) The National Cycling Centre has started a brand-new free Limitless BMX session on Sundays 4pm to 5pm, open to riders aged 7 and above. Designed especially for children and young people with physical or learning disabilities and additional needs, it provides a fun and supportive environment to build confidence and thrive on the track. Bookings can be made through www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/timetables/bmx or by downloading the Better app. If you need help with booking, contact the Centre on cyclingcentre@gll.org or 0161 233 2244.
Chinese celebrations
(All ages) Over the weekend of February 14th and 15th, Manchester will host one of the biggest celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Also known as Chinese New Year, there will be a range of cultural events and celebrations taking place in Manchester City Centre. This includes a special programme at Central Library, including crafts on Saturday and a Sunday Funday with a Lion Dance on St Peter’s Square.
Super Duper Family Fun
(All ages) The Super Duper Family Festival returns to Manchester for four days of free half-term fun across the city. Running from Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st February, Manchester will once again turn into a giant playground for all, with eight free Play Zones to explore.
Loads to do
(Various ages) 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 in parks, sports, libraries, galleries and more to keep you and your family entertained without breaking the bank.
Over the half term, there are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. Check out Money Saving Central.
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Our next drop will have the usual stalls, plus additional ones around the theme of ‘Preparing for Adulthood’. It’s on Wednesday 25th February, 10am-12pm, at The Manchester College, Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road M11 2WH. Look out for the drop in bulletin!
Future drop ins, 10am-12pm
Wednesday 18th March, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 22nd April, Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
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Since 2023, Manchester has been helping to pave the way for a nationally consistent SEND education system where children and young people get the right support, at the right time and in the right place – wherever they live in the country. Manchester has been the lead in the North West Change Programme Partnership (NWCPP), working with Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford. Along with 8 other areas, we have been testing the proposals in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.
This has been an incredible amount of work in Manchester – see the Change Programme Partnership highlights. Thank you to all the services, across the age ranges, who have been involved. A particular thank you to all the parents/carers who have contributed. Your ideas and feedback have been at the heart of it. This includes Manchester Parent Carer Forum and Parent Champions who sit on the NWCPP Steering Group, making sure the parent/carer voice is heard.
What’s next?
The Change Programme work has been extended until August 2026 with a focus on inclusion on mainstream settings. When the Schools White Paper on SEND Reform comes out, there will be a consultation period. We'll let you know how you can have your say during this time.
Look out for updates in the newsletter and in the Change Programme Partnership pages of the Local Offer website. There will also be another engagement event – all invited!
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Sensory workshop - this Friday!
There is a free in-person sensory workshop for parents and carers of children up to 5 years of age 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. It’s on Friday 6th February, 9.30am-1pm, at the Carol Kendrick Centre, Stratus House, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe M23 9XD. Find out more and book your place.
Pathway changes
We recently reported on the pathways transformation for the assessment and support of children, young people and adults with ADHD and autism in Greater Manchester. Here is further information on this work, including answers to your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). It's in two formats:
Thank you to the parents/carers who have booked on the engagements events which are now full. We'll be keeping you updated with this work, with more opportunities to feed in.
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Understanding SEND Support
As shared in the last newsletter, there is webinar around Understanding SEND Support on Monday 9th February, 10.30am to 11.15am, on Microsoft Teams. It is delivered by Manchester City Council staff, plus a Q&A with parent carers Tanya Finn and Leanne Deveney. If you are a parent/carer living in the Manchester City Council area and would like to attend, please email localoffer@manchester.gov.uk. You are also invited to send questions for the Q&A. The webinar will be recorded for future viewing and the questions and responses shared with you.
Not in school report
Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) make a series of thematic visits each academic year exploring an aspect of the SEND system in depth. The theme for 2025 was children who are not in school. Manchester was one of the six local authorities visited last February as part of this review. Here is the report – Beyond the classroom: the experiences of children with SEND who are not in school. Thank you to all the young people, parents/carers and professionals who took part.
Autism podcasts
Autism Central has a library of podcasts, bringing together autistic people, parents, carers and professionals to talk about different aspects of autism. There is also the Quirky and Autistic Podcast, a funny, audience-driven show for parents and professionals.
Toilet training
Join Contact’s free online workshop from 10am-12pm on Tuesday 10th February for advice and strategies on how to toilet train a child (aged 0-5) with additional needs or disabilities. See what else Contact have on offer.
Toilet training is one of the sessions in Manchester’s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) 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 the SCP or post-diagnosis. Find out what’s coming up on Manchester Parent Carer Forum’s website.
Reporting Hate Crime
It’s Hate Crime Awareness Week in Greater Manchester. No one should face hate, violence or abuse because of who they are, who they love, where they’re from, what they look like or what they believe. If you’ve been a victim or witness of hate crime, report it and get support.
Valentine's group date
Coming soon - Self-care Valentine's Group Date. Follow Manchester Parent Carer Forum on Facebook or Instagram for announcements.
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My Vote My Voice
My Vote My Voice is on a mission to encourage people with learning disabilities and autistic people to vote in elections. See their website for a range of accessible resources.
Postal vote reminder
If you applied for a postal vote before 30th October 2023, you need to reapply this year to keep voting this way. Apply securely online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote. If you don’t reapply, your postal vote will be cancelled and you’ll need to vote in person at your polling station. Not sure if this affects you? Contact esu@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 234 1212 for advice. Here’s Easy Read information from My Vote My Voice.
Breaking down barriers
Many eligible voters face barriers to participating in elections. Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are currently under-registered to vote. In the last election, they were also twice as likely not to have the right identification. The Race Equality Foundation is running a short project until the end of March to help address this. If you’re part of a group that might benefit from information and resources, please email sean.morris@manchester.gov.uk.
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