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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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Look out for our newsletters in the run up to the school holidays. There's lots more to come for SEND families in the Manchester City Council area!
Free cycling
(11-16s) There is free cycling for 11-16s with SEND or emotional and mental health needs 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 – info@manccycles.co.uk, 07970 922132. Part of the SEND Community Offer for young people living in Manchester.
Cool To Be You - NEW!
Cool to be You Game Day is an inclusive get-together with parents/carers and children and young people with SEND. Enjoy games, books and snacks in the company of people of all neurotypes. Show the real you! This event with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Thursday 16th July, 4.30-6.30pm at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book here. Now part of the SEND Community Offer for Manchester families.
Relaxed cinema
The next showing of the Relaxed Cinema with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is on Saturday 25th July, 11am-1pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. The cinema is free to families living in the Manchester City Council area, including siblings without SEND. Please book through the link when it goes live.
Vote for the film - poll closes 12 noon, Sunday 5th July
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Inclusive youth club
(11-16) Newleaf Foundation is running an inclusive Youth Club for young people aged 11–25 with SEND, offering a supportive environment where everyone is valued and encouraged to thrive. It’s on Saturdays, 4-6pm at Clayton Family Hub, 101 North Rd, M11 4NE. There are also sessions for young carers aged 5-16 on Thursdays 4-6pm. Contact Newleaf Foundation to find out more and book places - 07577 979018, info@newleaf-foundation.org.uk.
SEND Multisports
(6-16) Summer holiday multi-sports sessions are on offer for children and young people aged 6–16 with SEND, including those with SEMH needs. They're on various days at Moss Side Leisure Centre in Manchester, M15 5NN, from 10am–2pm, with activities like football, basketball, team and circle games, plus a free healthy lunch. Children need to be eligible for free school meals and able to engage in the group environment. View the various session dates and book places. For more information, contact Rachael Bland at rachael.bland@sportworksltd.co.uk.
Summer of Stories
(4+) Summer of Stories returns to Z-arts in Hulme this summer. There are three weeks of free storytelling and creative fun for families (recommended 4+) from Tuesday 28th July to Saturday 15th August. Book your places.
Billie Bee
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A free book about kindness has been created for Manchester families. 'Billie Bee' is available at the city's libraries for anyone to take and enjoy. There are also story time sessions at Manchester Museum throughout the summer. Find out more.
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Loads to do
(Various) Find fun things to do over the summer holidays in Loads To Do, including Parktastic and free swimming. There is also the free holiday club programme for children aged 5-16 on benefits-related free school meals, booked via Manchester Active. Money Saving Central has a list of places kids can eat for free or for a £1 over the summer holidays.
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Wednesday 15th July, 10am-12 noon
Lifestyle Centre, Wythenshawe
All welcome. Come along to the Lifestyle Centre, Portway, M22 1QW, 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.
After a break in August, drop ins return in September
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SEND Inclusion Conference |
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Thank you to everyone who came to the Manchester SEND Inclusion Conference on Tuesday 23rd June. We’ll share slide presentations and write ups when they are ready.
It was clear there is a lot going on right now, especially with the SEND reforms and the changes to autism and ADHD assessment in Manchester. There’s also a reform programme in Children’s Social Care, including more Family Hubs for the city. We’ll do our best to keep you updated in a way that helps you understand the changes.
In the meantime, see our Change Programme Partnership updates which includes information on the Schools white paper consultation, the Local SEND Reform Plan, and the new Experts at Hand offer starting in September 2026.
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It’s Co-production Week – Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July 2026. This annual celebration recognises the benefits of co-production in shaping better, more inclusive services. Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) have a blog to mark the week, including how co-production works in Manchester and links to free online sessions. There is also this letter from Manchester City Council’s SEND Engagement team.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed over the last year. It makes a real difference to families across the city!
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Autism/ADHD pathway news
There is a coffee morning on Thursday 16th July, 10am-12pm at North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street M12 4JD with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and the Autism Navigators. It’s a relaxed opportunity to find out more about the changes to the autism and ADHD assessment pathways and get some community sign-posting and peer-to-peer support. Booking is recommended but you are free to drop in or leave any time.
Free workshops - open to all!
Neurodevelopmental workshops are now open to all City of Manchester parents and carers. Your child doesn’t need to be on a waiting list. There are general sessions as well as an Early Years programme (children aged 3-5). See upcoming sessions.
Free family service
The Neurodiversity Learning Hub, run by Sidra Mirza, offers practical advocacy, guidance and support for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people across Greater Manchester. The service is currently free – first come, first served. There is also a WhatsApp channel to stay updated with SEND information, workshops, coffee mornings and local support opportunities.
Support at Longsight
Dare 2 b Different are back and invite everyone to their coffee mornings and Stay and Play sessions, all being held at Longsight Library. See the dates and read a heartfelt message from Rehena, the founder.
Help with DLA
SEND Together are running monthly Disability Living Allowance (DLA) drop Ins, starting Thursday 23rd July, 10am-12pm at Crossacres Family Hub, Poundswick Lane, M22 9TA. Get support with navigating DLA forms. For M22 and M23 families. For further information, call the hub on 0161 529 0080.
Get connected
Matt Scott is a community connector for the National Deaf Children’s Society in Manchester. He can help families access local resources and services and connect them with other parents and deaf children in their community. As a parent of a deaf child, he knows how important it is to have the right support and people around you. Feel welcome to get in touch - matt.scott@ndcs.org.uk, 07807 767629.
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Beat the heat
Hot weather can be dangerous, especially for older people, young children, and those with health problems. Some medications, including certain antipsychotics, anti-depressants and ADHD medications can increase one's sensitivity to heat and make it more difficult for the body to regulate temperature. Here is guidance to help you prepare for hot weather and take action to cool yourself and your home - plus an easy read version. There is also this list of cool spaces in Manchester where you can escape the heat.
New youth led fund - closes Friday!
Groups and organisations have until Friday to apply for the new SEND Local Offer youth led fund. Grants between £1,000-£5,000 are available for projects over the summer for young disabled people living in the Manchester City Council area. The fund came out of peer research earlier this year by the Changemakers at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN). They are being trained on how to be part of a decision-making panel and will have the say on which projects are awarded funding from the £25,000 available. Another round is due in the autumn.
Have your say on PIP
There is a parent-led workshop on Wednesday 8th July, 11.30am to gather views on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It’s being held by Jo Hampson and Amy Louise Seton as part of the Timms Review on PIP. The workshop is at the Dandelion Community, Oatlands Road, Wythenshawe, M22 1AH and will last about an hour. If anyone in your family is on PIP or you’re about to start getting it, this is a chance to share concerns. If you want to get in touch about the workshop or other ways to give feedback, contact Jo at jo_chloe@hotmail.com or 07745 164007.
New guidance
The Department for Education has recently published new guidance for social workers and other frontline practitioners supporting families where school attendance is a concern. It asks them to consider the impact of school attendance on children’s future outcomes and wellbeing and includes a practical checklist to support their work with families.
Deprivation of liberty ruling
In early June, the Supreme Court published a judgment changing the definition of deprivation of liberty. This government guidance outlines the judgement and the changes it brings. Here is an easy read guide from The Advonet Group.
DAISY Study
Researchers in the DAISY Study are looking for parent/carers who live in England and have a child aged 2–11 years with a learning disability or developmental delay. It’s to test a digital parent support program called Stepping Stones Online. Learn more.
Renters' rights
The Renters' Rights Act is now in place across England and Wales. No-fault evictions are banned, as are fixed contracts, and new rules are in place to prevent discrimination against potential tenants. Find out what this means for Manchester renters.
Switching over
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. Call BT’s customer care team on 0330 1234 150 if you have questions or need help ahead of the switch.
Best of Manchester awards
If you know an individual, group or organisation that’s an example of what Manchester is all about, nominate them for the new Best of Manchester awards. The awards are a heartfelt 'thank you' to those working behind the scenes who make Manchester better. The finalists from each of the 10 categories will be invited to the Best of Manchester Awards on Friday 23rd October. Read more and use the form to nominate by Sunday 12th July.
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WORK AND TRAINING
Sport and Leisure opportunity - apply soon!
There’s a fantastic opportunity for young Manchester people aged 16-24 who aren’t in education, employment or training and don’t have an EHCP. Sport and Leisure Supported Internships provide a wide range of opportunities with employers in the sector. Roles could include leisure assistants, sports coaching, catering, youth and play work, administration and more. The start date is Monday 20th July and involves a 6 to 8 month commitment of 16-20 hours per week. To help with food and travel costs, there's a £50 bursary payment each week. This flyer has more information. Apply here by Wednesday 8th July.
Recruitment event
Manchester City Council’s Work and Skills Team will be hosting the next Citywide Recruitment Event on Tuesday 7th July, 10am-1pm in the Performance Space, Central Library, St Peter’s Square. Meet potential employers and kickstart your career. No need to book – just drop in. Learn more.
Board places
The National Children’s Bureau is looking for young people for Young NCB, their advisory group. It gives children and young people the opportunity to share their views on things that are important to them and shape the work of NCB. Members attend 6 in-person meetings a year in London. All travel and expenses are covered, and members get vouchers for taking part. Find out more. To apply, complete the form by Monday 6th July. If you would like support with applying, please contact participation@ncb.org.uk.
Beyond Words Book Club
To celebrate Disability Pride Month, the Gunnercooke Foundation and House of Books and Friends invite you to their free Beyond Words Book Club pop-up, an accessible session for adults with learning needs and disabilities and their carers. It’s on Tuesday 14th July, 11-12pm at the House of Books and Friends, 81 King Street, M2 4AH. Book here.
From overwhelm to independence
This month’s webinar with the Centre for Autism Wellbeing Hub on Thursday 16th July, 7.00pm, is ‘From Overwhelm to Independence: An AuDHD Student’s Journey into University Life’. Harrison shares his journey, with his mum online to give her perspective. Book through Eventbrite.
An autism story
Tides (An Autism Story) is a one-man theatre show by Joe Dennis, a northern theatre-maker who happens to be autistic. It’s at Manchester’s 53Two Theatre on Thursday 23rd July at 7.30pm. Get your tickets (paid event).
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Manchester has been officially recognised as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. This celebrates years of partnership working and the voices of children and young people who have helped shape the programme. Becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City is not the end of the journey though — it’s a commitment to keep listening and putting children’s rights at the heart of everything we do.
Child Friendly City awards - nominate now!
There's still time to nominate in the first-ever Child Friendly City Awards. Previously known as the Buzz Awards, the awards recognise the contributions of children and organisations, as well as young people. Nominate Manchester residents aged 5–18 (up to 25 for young people with SEND or those who are care experienced), as well as organisations based within the city of Manchester. Applications close on Tuesday 7th July. Nominate now.
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