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Section 2
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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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Section 5
'Meeting other parents in the same situation as me made me feel so much better'
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Wednesday 20th May, 10am-12 noon
Moss Side Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street, M14 4SL
Come along for a brew and a chat with the parent/carer groups. It's one of the best things about our drop ins. They've been there and know what it's like. There are lots of professionals to chat to as well.
This free event is in the Powerhouse sports hall. Welcome to all. Find out about support for SEND families in Manchester.
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Future drop ins, 10am-12pm:
Wednesday 17th June, Manchester Youth Zone, Harpurhey
Wednesday 15th July, Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
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Section 6
Schools white paper - last chance!
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Section 7
Have your say before Monday 18th May!
Our special bulletin helps you have a say. It includes a survey from Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF), as well as one by Our Space/SEND Together. Both of these close today (Wednesday 13th May).
Manchester Parent Carer Forum encourage you to respond individually to the consultation, even if you have been to an engagement event. You don't have to answer all the questions. MPCF have selected the ones they think are most relevant to parents and carers.
What's next?
Nothing changes right now. 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.
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Section 9
SEND COMMUNITY OFFER
Sensory rooms
For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area
(All ages) The Sensory Room at Benchill Community Centre - in the picture - has been completely refurbished. There are free slots from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th May, 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.
(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) from Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th May. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.
Free cycling
‘Roger is brilliant in providing knowledge, advice, and a lot of encouragement and also demonstrating what to do. I definitely feel happy, inspired and safe to do more 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
Children's Gardening Week
(All ages) Children’s Gardening Week runs from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026, just in time for the school holidays. Celebrate nature at your local library by taking part in free crafts.
Manchester Flower Festival
(All ages) Celebrate the start of summer at the Manchester Flower Festival, a free event in the city centre, Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May. Enjoy stunning floral displays, talks, workshops and family-friendly activities for a bloomin’ great long weekend.
Musical SEND Saturday
(All ages) Visit Stoller Hall this May for a fun-filled weekend of musical concerts and activities. Saturday 23rd May is designed for families living with SEND, offering concerts and musical experiences which are accessible and sensory-friendly. There are ticketed events throughout the weekend, with ticket bookers able to enjoy a series of free drop-in events around the building. Stoller Hall is at Chetham’s School of Music, Long Millgate, opposite Victoria Station, M3 1SB. Find out more and book tickets.
Have you tried one of the free relaxed concerts at Stoller Hall? They're at 1.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month in term time. All welcome!
Free gym membership
(11-16) All Manchester resident secondary school children between the ages of 11 to 16 can now access a free funded gym membership at eleven council operated leisure centres across the city. This new membership builds on the existing citywide Free Swim for 16 and Under offer.
Loads to do
Check out Loads To Do for what's going on in your local area and across the city during half term. There's plenty on offer in parks, sports centres, 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. See Money Saving Central.
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Section 11
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NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM) is making changes to the way children and young people aged 0 to 18 are reviewed and assessed for suspected autism and ADHD. This is to make sure support is offered earlier based on a child or young person’s individual need. It also means that those with highest need can be seen sooner. These changes are an important step to help manage unsustainable demand for autism and ADHD assessments.
Changes will be introduced gradually, step by step. As part of these new processes:
- No one will lose their place on the waiting list.
- Patients will retain their original referral date and will be contacted as appointments become available, in referral-date order, when capacity allows.
- Care will continue uninterrupted for those who are already receiving treatment or medication.
Parent carer support
All parent carers can now access the workshops and navigator support run through Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust - currently called the Social Communication Pathway (SCP) workshops. Your child/young person needs to have a Manchester City Council postcode or a Manchester GP but no longer needs to be on the waiting list for assessment. See what’s coming up. The team are also working on new offers.
Coffee morning
There is a coffee morning on Friday 22nd May, 10am-12pm at North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street M12 4JD. Have a pastry, brew and a chat with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and the Autism Navigators. Booking is recommended but you are free to drop in or leave any time.
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We'll keep you updated as things develop
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Section 13
Have your say
Are you aged 16 to 25 and living in Manchester? Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without you? There is work going on to raise the profile of Young Adult Carers in Manchester and look at what support could be offered to you. You are invited to fill in a questionnaire. The information will be used anonymously and kept confidential.
Free bowling session
As part of the consultation, there's a free bowling session at Harpurhey Shopping Centre on Tuesday 19th May, 5-7pm for young adult carers aged 18 and over. As well as sharing your views and thoughts, it’s a chance to connect and have some fun. You’re welcome to bring along a friend or family member. For places, contact Chloe at chloe@helpwellmcr.org.uk or by texting 07716 170331.
Young carers days
Young Carers days at Manchester Metropolitan University are an opportunity for young people in Years 8-10 to visit a university campus, learn more about their options after school and where they can go for advice:
- Wednesday 1st July, 10am-3pm – MMU Geoffrey Manton Building, 4 Rosamond Street West, Manchester, M15 6LL
- Wednesday 8th July, 10am-3pm – MMU Business School, Lyceum Pl, Manchester M15 6BY
Here is the enquiry form. For queries, email Greater Manchester Higher at gmhigher@mmu.ac.uk.
News and resources
Explore the Young Carers newsletters, including the latest issue and previous editions. The Young Carers hub has more resources, including information on rights, support, and tools for practitioners.
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Section 15
Carers Week in Manchester
National Carers Week from Monday 8th to Sunday 14th June is fast approaching. Organisations within Carers Manchester are hosting a variety of events, from information sessions and walks to a comedy night and karaoke. Check out the Carers Manchester event calendar and e-newsletter for full details.
Transition workshop
Join Manchester Parent Carer Forum for a free Transition to Secondary School Workshop with One Education on Wednesday 3rd June from 11am to 1pm at Clayton Family Hub, The Wells Centre, 101 North Road M11 4NE. It’s designed for parents and carers of children with SEND in Years 4, 5, and 6 who live in Manchester or attend a Manchester-based school. Book your place.
NHS transitions
Here is updated guidance from the NHS on supporting young people to transition into adolescent and adult services. The transition should involve:
- preparing the young person for moving to adult services
- the formal transfer of their care to a lead adult health professional
- support to establish them in the adult service
Team update
The early years RHOSEY team has moved from Rodney House School back to Manchester City Council. It is now called the Manchester SEND Early Development Inclusion Team (SEDIT) and sits in Children and Education Services. The team provide outreach service to families of children with SEND aged 0 to 5 across the city. See this Local Offer webpage for more information and how to make a referral if you’re a professional.
GMYN vacancy
GMYN are looking for a Disability and Neurodivergence Programme Coordinator to lead on MCR Social, part of our SEND Community Offer, a transformative project that supports young people aged 14–17 to take part in social activities. They’ll also play a key role in developing GMYN’s wider Disability and Neurodiversity work, helping to embed youth voice and inclusive approaches. It’s a full time, permanent contract. The job pack has more about the role and how to apply. To give you more time, applications are being accepted until close of Sunday 17th May.
Free webinars
Find links to upcoming live ADDitude webinars with experts on all aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) and related conditions, plus their complete archive of free webinar recordings and slide presentations.
Autism Central
The latest Autism Central newsletter is out and full of interesting articles, conversations and courses. Subscribe here.
Cycling network event
The National Cycling Centre is part of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Cycling Network, and on Tuesday 23rd June, will be hosting a network event on their Centre Court. It’s a fantastic opportunity to come together in person and discuss all things cycling. There'll be organisations and teams from across the region, showcasing the inclusive cycling opportunities available across Greater Manchester. Register for your free place.
PIP review
Share your views on the government’s review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the main benefit for disabled adults. See Contact’s information. The Call for Evidence closes on Thursday 28th May.
Hate crime help
The police will record any crime as a hate crime where the victim or any other person perceives it was motivated by hostility or prejudice towards their identity. This includes disability, race, religion and sexual orientation. Anyone can report hate crime by using this online form, by calling 101 or visiting their local police station. True Vision is a national website that allows you to report a hate crime online without needing to visit a police station. Here is their information on disability hate crime.
Community Security Trust (CST) is a charity where you can report antisemitism and related threats and access support. Tell MAMA is a national project supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents. The British Muslim Trust provides confidential support and reporting for victims of anti-Muslim hate.
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Section 17
Work and training
Work and Skills bulletin
Manchester City Council produces a regular Work and Skills bulletin. It's full of opportunities. Sign up here. You can see the latest bulletin at the top of our work and training webpage.
The King's Trust
See what’s on offer from the King’s Trust for young people aged 16-30, including free courses, support to launch your own business and CV review service. The webpage includes a link to sign up to the regular newsletter. It’s full of opportunities!
College event
Join Manchester College on Thursday 21st May at their Adult Open Event in partnership with UCEN Manchester. It is being held in three places at the same time, from 5-7pm: City Campus Manchester, Openshaw Campus, Nicholls Campus (Ardwick). The event is open to anyone aged 19+ who is looking to upskill, retrain or take the next step towards university-level study. Register now.
Day of discovery
MEaP CIC and Reach Society invite young people aged 11–25 and their parents/carers to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse for an inspiring day of discovery. This is a unique chance to meet professional role models from the Black community and connect with leading employers and community support services and organisations. It’s on Thursday 28th May, 10am-3pm at Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, 140 Raby Street Manchester, M14 4SL. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more and book your free tickets.
Celebrating Skills for Life
There's a Manchester Skills for Life Celebration and Workshops on Thursday 3rd July, 9.30am-3pm at Gorton Monastery. It will bring together educators, employers, partners and young people to celebrate skills, achievement and best practice across the city. This free event is open to all young people in primary, secondary, post 16 education, SEND and APs. Sign up here.
Youth Voice Census
Aged 11-30? The Youth Voice Census 2026 wants to hear from you. This isn't just another survey – it’s your chance to speak up and drive change, whether that is better opportunities, more training courses or improved mental health support. The survey takes between 10 and 45 minutes, depending on your answers:
Here is information about it. Add your voice by 8th June.
Lived experience opportunity
- Are you aged 18 or over and a d/Deaf or disabled person or have a long-term health condition?
- Do you live in the city of Manchester?
- Could you use your lived experience and knowledge to make Manchester a better place for disabled people?
- Would you like to develop your skills?
- Do you want to get paid for your time and experience?
If YES, apply to join Manchester Lived Experience Leaders group. They have 4 places available to join the 10 existing members of the panel.
Full details are here, including the information in alternative formats. If you have any questions or need any help to apply, just ask. The contact is Andy Walker - 07809 223594, a.walker@breakthrough-uk.co.uk. Apply by Friday 22nd May 2026 at 12pm.
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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