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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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Manchester Local Offer Drop In
Wednesday 14th October, 10am-12 noon
As well as the usual parent/carer groups and SEND services, there’ll be stalls on the theme of Health Transition to Adulthood. Learn about the move from children to adult health services. Meet local health professionals, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and the Adult Learning Disability Team.
FUTURE DATES, 10am-12 noon:
Wednesday 11th November, Wythenshaw Forum – NEW VENUE!
Wednesday 16th December, Moss Side PowerHouse
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For families in the Manchester City Council area with disabled and neurodivergent children
HALF TERM WITH THE SPACE GROUP
Laser Quest
(Height restriction) Wednesday 28th October, 12pm (L1), 1pm (L2) and 2pm, at Tenpin, Harpurhey M9 4DH. Children must be over 4ft in height to play.
Bright Future Friends
(8+) Thursday 29th October, 11-2pm. Outdoor adventure/forest school session for 8+. Outdoor learning centre, Classroom 2, Horticultural Centre, near the main car park, Wythenshawe Park, M23 0AB.
To book Laser Quest and Bright Future Friends, please send texts to 07749 116211. Bookings open from 6pm on Friday 9th October to 12 noon on Saturday 10th October.
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Include the following information: Activity code (L1, L2 or L3 / BFF), house number and postcode, children’s full name, (accompanying adults, if required), date of birth, which child/ren has SEND by putting Y or N next to their name.
LASER QUEST SAMPLE TEXT: L3, 3 M22 7AQ; Peter Smith 01/01/2017 Y, Anne Smith 01/01/2019 N
BRIGHT FUTURE FRIENDS SAMPLE TEXT: BFF, 3 M22 7AQ; Peter Smith 01/01/2017 Y
Spooktacular circus
Gandeys Spooktacular Circus, Friday 30th October, 2.30pm, at The Trafford centre, P7 Car Park, M17 8AA. If you are making your own way, please arrive by 2.10pm. Alternatively, there is a coach leaving The Grange Community Resource Centre (4 Pilgrim Drive, Beswick M11 3TQ) at 1pm. Coach places are £5 per adult, free for children aged 0-17. Pay in cash at entry on the coach.
To book the circus, please send one text to 07749 116211. Bookings open from 6pm on Friday 9th October to 12 noon on Saturday 10th October.
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If you are making your own way, include the following information: GANDEYS, house number and postcode, adult names, children’s full name, date of birth, which child/ren has SEND by putting Y or N next to their name.
SAMPLE TEXT: GANDEYS, 3 M22 7AQ; Jane and Tom Smith; Peter Smith 01/01/2017 Y, Anne Smith 01/01/2019 N
To book on the coach, add COACH.
SAMPLE TEXT: GANDEYS COACH, 3 M22 7AQ; Jane and Tom Smith; Peter Smith 01/01/2017 Y, Anne Smith 01/01/2019 N
HALF TERM WITH MANCHESTER PARENT CARER FORUM
Manchester Parent Carer Forum are planning fun events for the October half, including Halloween Parties, BMX biking and relaxed cinema. The live booking links will all be here next week:
Sensory rooms
(All ages) There are free slots from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October at the sensory room at Benchill Community Centre, Benchill Road, Wythenshawe, M22 8EJ. Each slot is for 45 minutes and on the hour. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Drop in to the community centre or call 0161 946 9520 to book.
(All ages) Families can 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 Monday 26th to Friday 30th October. For SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area. Book directly with Redbank House on 0161 214 5959.
Community Kitchen
(All ages) Come with the family and cook – and eat! – together. The Community Kitchen is on Monday 26th October, 2.30-5.30pm. Another date may be added depending on numbers. The menu is based on traditional Caribbean with a mixture of cultures, including drum smoked BBQ salmon, BBQ chicken, steam fish, vegetarian and vegan choices, and homemade drinks. These sessions are for SEND families living in the Manchester City Council area and are at Proctor Young People's Centre, Hulme Street, Off Jackson Crescent M15 5EF. Parking available. Booking essential - call Roger on 07970 922132.
Bandaoke
(16-25) Join Billy and Andy’s Music School for a free afternoon of spooky singalongs! The next Bandaoke is Friday 30th October, 1.30-3.30pm at fully accessible venue, 53two Theatre, Arch 19, Watson St, M3 4LP. It's like karaoke but with a live band. Young people can perform their favourite songs in front of a friendly audience or just come along to listen to some awesome music. Families welcome too. Halloween costumes are optional - but there may be a prize for the best dressed!
Booking is easy using this form. If you prefer, you can email info@billyandandy.co.uk, saying which songs you/the young person would like to perform. You can also call 07429 826053 to book over the phone or talk through support needs. For disabled and/or neurodivergent young people aged 16-25 in the Manchester City Council area.
MCR Social
(14-25) MCR Social at Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) is a free programme designed by, and for, for disabled and neurodivergent young people living in the Manchester City Council area. It supports 14–25 year olds to access fun and engaging social activities, including ice skating, bowling, creative writing workshops, gallery and museum visits, movie nights, baking sessions and more. Current regular activities, including over half term, are:
- BMX/Biking Sessions at Platt Fields BMX Track
- Gaming Sessions (Videogames and board games) at Royal Mills, Ancoats
- Creative Sessions (Arts and crafts activities) at Manchester Art Gallery
There are also beginner-friendly Skateboarding Sessions starting in Wythenshawe in November.
How to register
Ages 14–17: The referral needs to come from a parent, carer, social worker, support worker or other trusted adult. There are unlimited places for this age range.
Ages 18–25: Young people can self-refer or a parent/carer/trusted adult can do the referral for them. There are up to 20 places available for this age group.
Send an email to roza.ayman@gmyn.co.uk and they will email you back with a secure link to a referral form. Once that has been completed and returned, a member of the team will be in touch to discuss support needs, interests and available opportunities.
Cool to be you
(All ages) There are a few places left on Thursday's Cool to be You Game Day, the inclusive free get-together for SEND families who live in the Manchester City Council area. It's on Thursday 8th October, 4.30-6.30pm at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book here.
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Frightfully Bold Vibes
(All ages) Join Bold Vibes for a frightfully good autumn adventure at Quarry Bank Mill’s Scarecrow Festival. It’s on Sunday 25th October, 12 noon, at Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, Cheshire, SK9 4HP. This event is for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), together with their families, carers and supporters. Quarry Bank has Changing Places facilities, as well as accessible routes across the site. Disabled parking is available but limited so arrive in good time. Car parking is free. If you’re struggling with transport, let Bold Vibes know and they’ll work with you to see how they can help. To book, email hello@boldvibes.co.uk by Wednesday 14th October with your name, the number of adults and children, and if anyone in your group is a carer.
Free sensory performance
Hades and Persephone is a new sensory dance theatre performance for children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). There is a maximum of five young people per each 50-minute performance which will involve being led through a sensory installation. Here’s the booking page to get your free tickets and learn more about accessibility, as well as age suitability. Performances are at the Creative Space, Wythenshawe Forum Library, Simonsway, M22 5RX with multiple booking slots between Tuesday 3rd and Friday 6th November. Choreographed by Matthew Rawcliffe, with original music by cellist and singer Lili Holland-Fricke and design by Eliza Nelson. (Photo credit: Elly Welford)
Women and girls festival
(5-25) There’s a free Disabled Women and Girls Festival on Monday 26th October, 10am-2.30pm, at the National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ. It’s inclusive to disabled, d/Deaf and/or neurodivergent women and girls aged 5 to 25 and their siblings and friends. Delivered by coaches from local sports clubs, each participant can have a go at all activities, including BMX, climbing, tennis, and football. There will also be a rest and quiet space available all day. Here is the registration form. Please fill out a separate form for each participant attending with you. At least one parent/carer needs to accompany. For further information, email AJ.McMinn@AccessSport.org.uk or call the Access Sport office on 02079 939883.
Half term cycling
(Various) Check out the half term holiday activities being offered at the National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ. This includes Balance and Trybike sessions for 2-6 year olds, £6. These are fun, coached sessions to help little riders build confidence, with parent involvement throughout. There are also 45-minute Learn to Ride sessions for children aged 3–5 years and 6–12 years, £8.20.
Lego club
(7-11) The Kids Charity have a new After School Lego Brick Club for children aged 7-11 with SEND. They are every Monday (term time only) from 5-6pm at 422 Community Hub, Stockport Rd, Longsight, M12 4EX. The first session is free, then it's £3 per session. Parent/carers are asked to stay for the first time but then children can be left. Contact Kerry Hassanpour, manchesterkids@kids.org.uk, 0738 445 5628. Endorsed by The LEGO Foundation!
(Various) Manchester Libraries has a range of lego and other clubs. See what’s coming up at Central Library and contact your local library to find out what's on offer.
Activities with I AM
(Various) I AM supports autistic people and their families across Greater Manchester. Their October–December youth programme includes a Tuesday Youth Club for 13–16s, a Wednesday Youth Club for 10–13s and school holiday clubs and trips. Sessions are designed to give autistic young people a welcoming place to make friends, socialise, build confidence and enjoy activities with people their own age. Get in touch with I AM by emailing enquiries@i-am-autism.org.uk.
Creative in community
Relaxed and welcoming age-inclusive sessions with the Access All Ages Creative Community Hub are an opportunity to get creative through music, art, poetry, movement, storytelling and conversations. There are free sessions on Monday 9th November and Monday 14th December from 10-11.30am at Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS. To get involved, email Abi at abi@imm-music.com or call 07931 329694.
Celebrate Diwali - this weekend!
Manchester’s spectacular Dussehra and Diwali Mela invites you to celebrate the Indian culture and community in Manchester. Events take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, 12 noon-8pm, at Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street and St Anne's Square. Experience the magic of live music and performances, arts and crafts, delicious Indian food, and the vibrant spirit of Dussehra and Diwali, with a Lantern Parade from St Anne's Square to Exchange Square at around 7pm on the Saturday.
Monster Fun
Mark the arrival of Halloween with a weekend of monstrously good events. Celebrate the MCR Monsters' 10th birthday with live performances, party games and fancy-dress fun, plus storytelling, spooky DJs, a birthday bake-off and the spectacular Walk the Plank monster procession. The Halloween in the City Weekender is Saturday 24th October 2026, 10am–6pm, and Sunday 25th October, 10am–5pm. Follow @HalloweenMCR on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
SEND-friendly fireworks
Manchester’s free fireworks celebrations are returning. On Saturday 7th November, enjoy free, family-friendly events at Wythenshawe Park, Heaton Park and Platt Fields Park. There will be reduced-noise, low-impact fireworks displays at each venue at 5pm, designed with families and SEND audiences in mind, followed by the main fireworks spectacular at 8pm. The SPACE Group and other parent carer groups have been working with the council to make these events more inclusive.
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MPCF coffee morning
The next coffee morning with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) is on Friday 16th October, 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.
Warm welcome
A relaxed opportunity to speak with MPCF and the Neurodevelopmental Navigator Team for community signposting, peer-to-peer support and sharing your views. At the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book through Eventbrite:
Workshops and drop ins
As part of Manchester’s new Neurodevelopmental (ND) Needs Led service, workshops and drop ins are now open to all City of Manchester parents and carers. Your children don’t need to have a diagnosis of autism or ADHD or be on a waiting list.
There is a new listing on the Local Offer, showing each event and upcoming dates. This includes:
- Warm Welcome drop ins
- Online workshop for parents/carers of children of any age - Understanding Sensory Differences
- In-person workshops at Harpurhey, Ardwick and Wythenshawe for parent/carers of primary and secondary school children - Sensory differences, neurodiversity and wellbeing, communication differences and working with the education system
- Online Workshops for parents/carers of children at pre-school years, aged 2 to 5 years - Social communication differences, eating challenges, toilet training and community play
- Meet the Educational Psychologists
To book, go to the service’s new Eventbrite page where all the workshops are shown in date order.
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EHC Needs Assessments - new online form
As part of ongoing improvements to the EHCP Service, there is a new online form for parents and carers to request an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. The new form is designed to make the process simpler and easier to access. You can complete it online, upload supporting information and review your responses before submitting. Find a link to the form in EHC Needs Assessments on the Local Offer website, along with information to help you complete it.
School applications 2027
The deadline for 2027 secondary school applications is coming up – 31st October. The deadline for primary school applications is 15th January 2027. Here is Manchester City Council’s timetable and information around schools and admissions. SENDIASS have a factsheet – see 'Number 27, Transition between all phases of education'. There is also this information from Contact on applying for a school place.
Dealing with the clock change
The clocks go back on 25th October. Kate Seasman, the Together’s Trust’s Sleep Manager and Specialist Teacher, has written a helpful guide for parents and carers navigating the autumn clock change.
Help with Halloween
Full of horror at the thought of Halloween? With a bit of planning and creativity, it can be calm, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone. Here are 15 practical tips from I AM to help make this spooky season stress-free and full of smiles.
Contact's campaigns
- Is your disabled child entitled to free school meals but missing out? Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may be able to ask the school or local authority to provide an alternative, such as food vouchers or a suitable meal your child can eat. See Contact’s resources, including a simple online flowchart to help you claim.
- There are some encouraging updates on Contact's work around Child Trust Funds and Junior ISAs. The House of Lords has backed an amendment to the Financial Services Act which would create a clear legal framework allowing finance companies to release these funds directly to families. In the meantime, Nationwide has launched new website guidance and a dedicated support team to help parents navigate access to funds.
See Contact’s latest stories about their projects and the disability sector in general. It includes a link to sign up to their weekly newsletter.
Carers' breaks
It’s important for carers to take breaks to avoid burnout and regain the energy necessary to continue caring. Carers Manchester has a new Carers’ Breaks webpage, including a calendar of free local activities, as well as overnight hotel stays with Carefree. You can also read the new Carers’s Breaks strategy which came out of the Time For You consultation.
Free one-to-ones
Autism Central’s free one-to-ones are open to family, friends and carers who support an autistic person of any age. They offer a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly with a trained peer guide with lived experience. There isn’t a waiting list right now – find out more.
Support for young siblings
If you are a parent/carer of young siblings, Sibs would love your help. In response to lots of enquiries, they’re developing some new resources, including social stories and colouring sheets for children under 7 with a disabled brother or sister. What has been the hardest thing to explain to your child? Is it disability? Feelings? Different rules at home? If you have suggestions, please let them know using their general contact form.
Tackling the narratives
There have been news headlines, social media posts and TV programmes recently with potentially harmful public narratives. Ann Memmott from Autism Central takes a look - Blog: when autism and ADHD are questioned in the media.
Travel news
Tram works
From Monday 19th October until Sunday 1st November, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will deliver the next phase of an investment programme to upgrade the network. This means no trams will operate on Altrincham, Eccles and Trafford Park lines for two weeks and services from East Didsbury and Manchester Airport services will terminate at Firswood. Learn more on this dedicated customer support webpage, including replacement travel arrangements. Here is information on general tram travel alerts.
Say yellow to Bee Network Rail
Buses and trams are already part of the Bee Network. Now it's time for rail. The first phase of rail integration will see 14 stations join the Bee Network in December 2026, followed by a further 15 in March 2027. By 2030, all 96 Greater Manchester stations will have joined the network. There'll be easier ways to pay, better connections, improved access, and simpler journeys across Greater Manchester.
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Calling creatives
Are you a neurodivergent creative practitioner? Venture Arts wants to hear about the barriers you face to meaningful employment and the support that could help you access the creative industries. Here is their survey. Your responses will help to shape 'Creative Approaches to Work: Making Neurodiversity Your Business', a new programme to develop skills and confidence through training and support.
DWP opportunity
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is offering an exciting eight-week paid employment opportunity for around 20 autistic young people aged 18 to 25. The internship is expected to begin on 1st February 2027. Opportunities are available on either an office-based or hybrid basis in a range of towns and cities across England and Scotland, including Manchester. Learn more. Apply by 12 noon on Friday 16th October.
Grow with The King's Trust
If you are aged 16-30, The King’s Trust can help you build real-world skills, grow confidence and get career-ready. Find out what's on offer, including a CV review service, personal development course, free funding to train or start work, and networking events. You can also sign up to their regular Manchester newsletter.
Upcoming events
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Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobs and Skills Fair - For Manchester residents aged 16+, Thursday 29th October, 10am-1pm, Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Longsight, M12 4TF. More than 30 employers and training providers with live vacancies and opportunities. No booking needed. See the listing.
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Recruitment event for Manchester residents - Tuesday 3rd November, 10am-1pm, the Performance Space, Central Library St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD. 20+ multi-sector employers on hand with jobs ready to be filled. Book through Eventbrite.
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Manchester College’s School Leaver Open Event - For Year 11s, Saturday 14th November. A chance to look around, chat to tutors and see what could be waiting after school. Register here.
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