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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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Big changes to the SEND system |
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We’re going through the biggest change to the SEND system since 2014. In February this year, the government produced the schools white paper - Every child achieving and thriving. This set out the proposals for Parliament to pass into law.
This is long-term SEND Reform. Most of the changes aren’t expected to happen until September 2029. We won't know the exact detail until then. Until that time:
- Children’s needs will continue to be met through the current SEND Code of Practice
- There will be no immediate changes to existing support, EHCPs or school provision
We will do our best along the way to keep you updated, letting you know what the changes mean for Manchester families. Keep an eye on the newsletter. There is also our web information.
Learn more
Spring consultation
Thank you to everyone who took part in the government's consultation around SEND Reform in the spring. A range of activity, including focus groups and drop ins, gathered responses from children and young people, parents and carers, and representatives across education, health and care. Manchester City Council prepared a joint consultation response, submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) on 19th May 2026. Read the summary. Learn more about the consultation.
There are two additional consultations taking place:
Our local plan
Local Authorities were expected to write a Local SEND Reform Plan by June 19th 2026. In Manchester, the plan builds on existing SEND provision in the city, activity tested through the Change Programme Partnership and feedback from co-produced consultation. Our plan is outlined in this presentation from the 2026 Manchester SEND Inclusion Conference.
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Paving the way for SEND Reform
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In 2023, Manchester was chosen by the Department for Education to lead the North West Change Programme Partnership (NWCPP). We worked with Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford to test some of the proposals for SEND Reform.
This was a massive programme of work which is already improving outcomes for our children. Thank you to everyone who partnered with us, including Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and other parent carer groups, families, schools and practitioners. While the Change Programme came to a close in August, Manchester will continue laying the foundations for SEND Reform.
Learn more
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SEND Inclusion Conference 2026 |
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The Manchester SEND Inclusion Conference was on Tuesday 23rd June 2026 at the Friends' Meeting House in the city centre. A cram-packed programme saw presentations on a wide range of themes, including SEND Reform, health and social care, Early Years, Family Hubs and Preparing for Adulthood. Thank you to everyone who came and to Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and the Manchester Parent Champions who were involved in organising the event, with some support from The SPACE Group.
Our review of the day shares what you said and our responses to it. There is also a Local Offer podcast featuring interviews with parents who were at the event.
The image shows the visual minutes by Claire and Becky from www.morethanminutes.co.uk. Here's the pdf.
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The Experts at Hand offer starts this September in Manchester.
The government is investing around £1.8 billion over 3 years to develop a national Experts at Hand offer. This will support mainstream settings across early years, primary, secondary and post-16 to better identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND.
Experts at Hand will bring specialist expertise directly into mainstream settings. This means speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers working alongside school staff.
A message for Manchester parents and carers about Experts at Hand
Understanding SEND Support
The Experts at Hand offer will sit within SEND Support in mainstream schools. Most children and young people get the support they need this way. Learn more in Understanding SEND Support, co-produced with Manchester Parent Carer Forum, Manchester Parent Champions and The SPACE Group.
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Alongside SEND Reform, the UK is undergoing a landmark transformation in children’s social care.
Rather than waiting for families to reach crisis point, the Families First Partnership programme will help make sure that support is available early, consistently and compassionately.
In Manchester, we’re bringing together Early Help and Child and Family Assessments. The single assessment and plan are designed to replace fragmented processes with a family-centred, multi-agency approach that uses resources in a better way.
When needed, families will have a dedicated professional who coordinates support and builds a trusting, honest relationship. No more repeating stories to multiple professionals or being passed from one service to another.
Support will be delivered through community-based settings like Family Hubs, schools, and local services, making it easier for families to seek help without fear of judgment or bureaucracy. The aim is that families feel welcomed, seen, and respected as experts in their own lives.
Early Years SEND Team
Back in April, the early years RHOSEY team 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 an outreach educational service for pre–school age children aged 0 to 5 with complex SEND and their families. Learn more, including how to make a referral if you’re a professional. SEDIT is also covered in this Early Years presentation from the SEND Inclusion Conference.
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Family Hubs across the city
Manchester’s five Family Hubs are growing into twelve. Children centres in the city are becoming part of a scaled-up Family Hub Network, offering services across the 0-19 age range and up to 25 with SEND. They’ll provide a welcoming, non-judgemental front door close to home where families can get the support they need - for as long as they need it. Each hub will meet the needs of the local area, drawing on the strengths of the surrounding community. Within this, there’ll be more focus on early support for children with additional needs. Look out in the newsletter for more about the new hubs.
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Learn more
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As shared in the newsletter, assessment and support for autism and ADHD in Greater Manchester is also going through a major transformation. It will be led by children's needs rather than their diagnosis.
The city's Social Communication Pathway is now called the Neurodevelopmental (ND) Needs Led service. As part of this, parent/carer workshops and drop ins are now open to all City of Manchester parents and carers. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis or be on a waiting list. Scroll through MPCF’s listings to see what’s coming up in the autumn.
Assessment
If you or your child are eligible for an NHS assessment you should only be on one waiting list, either with your local provider or with your Right to Choose provider.
This Health Update presentation from the SEND Inclusion Conference outlines the changes
Learn more
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Big changes need big thanks!
A massive thank you to all the parents and carers, families and young people who have contributed to SEND Reform in Manchester and the changes in health and social care.
Thanks too to the professionals for working in a way that supports families to have a say.
The work we've done together puts us in a stronger position to navigate the changes. We'll continue to share opportunities. Keep an eye on the newsletter!
If you would like to get our newsletters, find out how to sign up
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