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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 SEND Drop In is on Wednesday 18th March at Manchester Youth Zone, 931 Rochdale Road, Harpurhey M9 8AE. This free event is aimed at parents/carers and young people with SEND up to 25 in the Manchester City Council area. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis. Professionals welcome too.
FUTURE DROP INS, 10am-12pm:
Wednesday 22nd April, Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
Wednesday 20th May, Moss Side Powerhouse
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The Schools White Paper and the SEND Reform consultation document were published at the end of February. Since then, we have received some questions about the reforms through our network of parent carers. We understand that families are anxious about the proposed changes and are committed to keeping you fully informed at every stage.
What will the changes mean for my family?
We don’t know yet. Once the consultation has been completed and the government publishes the finalised frameworks, we will be able to provide clear information about what the changes mean for Manchester families. In the meantime, your questions have been shared with the Department for Education (DFE). Please be assured that nothing changes for your child right now:
- No immediate changes will be made to existing support, EHCPs or school provision.
- Children’s needs will continue to be met through the current SEND Code of Practice.
How can we have a say?
We will be sharing more about this in future newsletters. Until then, here is a link to the consultation which runs until 18th May 2026.
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Useful reading
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SEND COMMUNITY OFFER
Free cycling
(11-16s) Have your 11-16s with SEND or emotional and mental health needs tried the free cycling? Sessions are every Saturday 11am-3pm, meeting at the Proctor 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. Part of the SEND Community Offer for young people living in Manchester.
OTHER STUFF TO DO
Outdoor adventures
(12-16s) Calling all young people aged 12–16? Are you ready for an epic summer adventure? Our friends at Action for Conservation are offering free Summer Camps in UK National Parks. Expect hands-on activities, wildlife discovery, outdoor adventures, and plenty of chances to make new friends while learning how to take positive action for nature. Apply by Saturday 4th May 2026. The application pack has everything you need to know or see the Action for Conservation website. If you have questions about the camp or the application process, please contact Ben Turrell, 07946 064 533, ben@actionforconservation.org. Here’s a You Tube video taster.
Time in the garden
(All ages) Starting Wednesday 18th of March, Platt Fields Market Garden will be open on Wednesdays as a community day. There will be a stay and play at the Frog House 10am-12pm, with sandpit play, a craft table, garden bingo, a MUD Kitchen play area, and a cosy book corner. From 1-3pm there are board games, as well as chat in the wider garden area. Both are free to join. The café will be open 10am-4pm serving brews and snacks. It's at Platt Fields Market Garden, Mabfield Road, Fallowfield, M14 6LT, car park nearby.
Easter in libraries
(All ages) There are free Easter holidays crafts and activities from Tuesday 7th April to Saturday 18th April at various libraries across the city. Manchester Central Library has two weeks of school holiday fun, with child-friendly gardening, storytime sessions, Lego, STEM clubs and much more. Check out Library Live for what’s on.
Spring trail
(All ages) Pick up a free Spring Trail at Heaton Park from Reception (by the Stables Cafe). This short walk takes you through scenic areas of the park in search of fun spring characters. Running from early March to late May at Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley M25 2SW.
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Are you a young person aged 13+?
Are you disabled, neurodivergent and/or have social, emotional and mental health needs?
Would you like a say in what happens in Manchester?
Come along to The Platform, a creative space where you can explore ways to be heard and shape the future of Manchester. It’s on Wednesday 8th April from 12pm to 4pm in the city centre, at Sister - Renold Building, 32a Altrincham Street, M1 7JR.
There’ll be a free hot lunch and opportunities to explore a range of creative youth voice methods in festival-style workshops - podcasting, lego, crafts, nature, zine-making and TED talks. Choose your favourite and share your thoughts on what it's like growing up in Manchester. Hosted by Manchester City Council, Young Manchester, GMYN and SEND Code, it’s a chance to influence how the council connects with you in future.
This free event is for young people aged 13-25 years old. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions, please contact Eliya at enquiries@youngmanchester.org.
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Trafford and Stockport College - apply soon!
Do you have an EHCP? Are you looking for real work experience with a leading employer? Join one of the Supported Internships with Trafford Stockport College Group and kick-start your future. There are several assessment days:
- Monday 23rd March – for Trafford Council and Trafford General Hospital
- Tuesday 24th March – For Amazon and the Civil Service
Spaces are limited – apply using this form. If successful, you can spend a year learning new skills, building confidence and trying out real jobs in real workplaces.
Sport and leisure - apply soon!
A supported internship in the sport and leisure industry runs from the end of March to August 2026, with up to 8 places available. Applicants need to:
- Not be in education, employment or training
- Age 16-24
- Be Manchester City Council residents
- Available 4 days a week from April to August 2026
- Not have an EHCP (although may need additional support into employment)
Young people will be supported with a mentor and employability coach, workshops, qualifications, placements and a wide range of experiences on offer. A monthly bursary is available to cover food and travel. To apply, fill in the form. Any questions to rebekah@strideuk.org. Deadline: Friday 20th March.
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Understanding SEND Support
Following our Understanding SEND Support session, part of the free webinar is now available on You Tube. This half hour talk with Stuart Crampton from the Children and Education Service in Manchester City Council covers:
- Examples of SEND Support
- How you can be involved at every stage
- What the council is doing to strengthen SEND Support
The webinar grew out of the Understanding SEND Support information co-produced in the autumn with Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group.
Coffee morning
The next coffee morning with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) is on Monday 30th March, 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.
Support in Gorton
The Sacred Heart Family Hub in Gorton runs two regular activities for parents/carers:
SEND Peer Support Walking Group - A gentle walk in a supportive environment, followed by toast and a hot drink at the Hub. It’s every two weeks on Fridays, 10am – next one 20th March. Meet outside McDonalds near Debdale Park, Hyde Road, M18 7LJ.
Peer Support Group Stronger Together - Does your child struggle with communicating? Not sure who to speak to? Come along to the parent/carer drop in at the Hub, every first Thursday of the month, 1pm-3pm - 2nd April, 7th May, 4th June. If you have any pre-school children, you are welcome to bring them along.
The Gorton Sacred Heart Family Hub is on Glencastle Road, Gorton M18 7NE, 0161 245 7180.
Community computers
Community Computers is a Let’s get Digital and Digital Alliance Partner, working in partnership with Manchester City Council to tackle digital exclusion. They sell heavily subsidised tech to low-income families, such as laptops and phones, with a new batch of products available for purchase each week. Find more sources of support at Let's Get Digital.
Benefits updates
- From April, many low-income families with more than two children will see an increase in their entitlement to Universal Credit (UC). This is because the two-child limit will be removed. If you’re already getting UC, make sure that all your children are reported on your claim.
- April is the time of the year when landlords increase the rent for tenants. If you are getting Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, don’t forget to report this to the relevant benefit department as soon as possible.
- The Carers Allowance earnings limit will increase to £204 per week. If you are working part time and are already getting Carers Allowance, you may be able to increase your working hours slightly.
If you would like one-to-one advice on your situation, please get in touch with The Contact Point at Carers Manchester and ask to speak with one of their in-house benefits advisors.
PLUS - The charity Contact has produced three new Universal Credit videos.
Call for foster carers
By fostering a local child, you help them stay close to their school, friends and familiar surroundings. Manchester urgently needs more foster carers, so if it has ever crossed your mind, the friendly Fostering Team can talk to you about the different ways you could foster. Manchester City Council’s Children’s Services are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and offer excellent training, support and competitive pay with tax‑free allowances. Find out more.
Travel updates
Following two successful trials, pre-9.30am bus travel restrictions have now been lifted for people with concessionary travel passes.
The TfGM Weekly Travel Update is a free email designed to help you plan your journeys with confidence. The update shares information on major events and works that could affect travel, including changes to bus, Metrolink, rail services and the road network across Greater Manchester. There is also this link to find out about events that may affect your journey.
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SEND healthcare survey
There have been a lot of service changes across health in response to the changing needs of children and young people in Manchester. Greater Manchester NHS Integrated Care Board wants to make sure these changes are working for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. This is your chance to have your say. If you are a parent/carer of a child or young person aged 0-25 with SEND, please take a minute or two to complete the short survey. Thank you for your time. Closing date: Friday 27th March.
Adult Social Care review
There is still time to contribute to the Casey Commission review and reform of how Adult Social Care is provided in this country. Find out more in this Local Government Association webpage. Runs until Friday 27th March.
Help Hope Mill
Hope Mill Theatre in Ancoats is building a brand-new arts provision for neurodivergent young people. If you are a neurodivergent young person aged 14–18 or a parent/carer, you’re invited to share your ideas in this short survey. Your thoughts will directly shape the plans and help secure funding to make it happen. If you would rather provide answers via voice note/video, please email alyx@hopemilltheatre.co.uk.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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