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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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Where we're up to
Although the Schools white paper consultation ended in May, we won't know what the reforms will look like until the government publishes its response. This is likely to be in the new year.
Even then, most of the changes aren’t expected to happen until September 2029. For now, children's needs will continue to be met through the current SEND Code of Practice. If you are told your child’s EHC plan rights have changed because of the government’s proposals or the Schools White Paper, this is incorrect. Contact SENDIASS for advice.
Our Local SEND Reform Plan
Back in June, we submitted our Local SEND Reform Plan to the DfE. We have recently learned that the plan has been positively received and approved by them. Thank you for everyone's input. We'll keep you updated with progress.
Our Local SEND Reform Plan is outlined in this presentation from the Manchester SEND Inclusion Conference.
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Experts at Hand
While we're waiting to hear about the SEND Reforms, the Experts at Hand offer has begun. This national, three-year programme is about improving access and support from professionals in schools, including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists and Specialist School Outreach Practitioners. The council had this message for Manchester Parents and Carers at the start of the autumn term. (Picture credit: One Education)
Experts at Hand post-16 - Have your say
Help Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and One Education develop the the Experts at Hand offer for mainstream post-16 settings in Manchester. There are two sessions for Manchester parent/carers, both on Tuesday 12th November. The first is in-person from 12-1pm at North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD, lunch included. The second is online in the evening, 6-7pm. Use the links to book through Eventbrite.
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For families in the Manchester City Council area with disabled and neurodivergent children
Half term with MPCF
Over the half term, Manchester Parent Carer Forum has three Halloween parties, an inclusive BMX session at the National Cycling Centre, and relaxed cinema at Cineworld in Didsbury. Find more information and booking links.
For Cineworld, half the tickets will be released at 6pm tonight and the other half at 6pm tomorrow (Thursday). For everything else, half the tickets are currently open for booking and the other half will be released at 6pm tonight (Wednesday 21st October).
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Relaxed cinema
(PG) The next regular showing of MPCF's relaxed cinema is on Sunday 25th October, 11am-1pm at Cultplex (part of GRUB), 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, M4 4HF. The film 'The Sheep Detectives' has a PG rating. The cinema is free to families living in the Manchester City Council area, including siblings without SEND. Book here.
Cool to be you
(All ages) Cool to be You Game Day is an inclusive, free get-together with parents/carers and children and young people with SEND who live in the Manchester City Council area. The next date of this regular event with Manchester Parent Carer Forum is Thursday 12th November, 4.30-6.30pm at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book here.
Climbing and water sports
(8+) Try climbing at The Big Depot, Unit A5/A6, Southmoor Industrial Estate, Wythenshawe M23 9XD. Four sessions are on offer for up to four participants per session, age 8+:
- Monday 26th October, 3.15–4.15pm
- Tuesday 27th October, 3.45–4.45pm
- Friday 30th October, 6–7pm
There are also water-based activities at Debdale Outdoor Centre, 1073 Hyde Road, Gorton, M18 7LJ, for Sat Nav use M18 7WY. This includes the Wheelyboat, an accessible boat designed to accommodate wheelchair users. There are two sessions, up to 10 participants per session, age 8+:
- Friday 30th October, 10.30am–12.30pm
- Saturday 31st October, 1–3pm
These free sessions with Manchester Outdoor Education Trust are part of the SEND Community Offer for families in the Manchester City Council area. Book here.
Sensory rooms
(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.
(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.
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Sensory Lego
(All ages) Chorlton Library has a new Quiet Sensory Lego Time. If your child enjoys the creativity of Lego building in a calm environment, come along on Sundays 1-3pm. This is a free drop in where all are welcome.
Musical celebration - this Friday!
'50 Years of Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Friends' is a cinematic and musical celebration of clay, comedy and creativity. There is a very special relaxed performance for SEND schools, groups, families and individuals this Friday 23rd October, 1.30pm-2.30pm at Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium. Tickets £8-£12 (reduced from £25-£32). Essential support staff/carers free. Book here. (Scroll down for Manchester.)
Halloween in the city
(All ages) 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.
Manchester Libraries at half term
(Various) Check out Library Live for activities coming up at half term, including Halloween and Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) events. There’s also Match Day Mix-Up, a free afternoon of football-themed family fun.
Loads to do
(Various) Find fun things to do over half term in Loads To Do. There are lots of places where kids can eat for free or for a £1. Check out Money Saving Central.
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Family fireworks
(All ages) On Saturday 7th November, enjoy free, family-friendly events at Wythenshawe Park, Heaton Park and Platt Fields Park. As well as the main showing and lantern parades, there will be reduced-noise, low-impact fireworks displays at each venue, designed with families and SEND audiences in mind. The SPACE Group and other parent carer groups have been working with the council to make these events more inclusive.
Here are some tips for Bonfire Night from the National Autistic Society, put together with the help of their Facebook group members.
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Wednesday 11th November, 10am-12pm
Wythenshawe Forum – NEW VENUE!
Our next drop in is at a new venue – Wythenshawe Forum, Simonsway, M22 5RX. We’ll be on the concourse, the open area at the centre of the building. Come and chat to parent/carer groups and local SEND services. More information to come in the drop in bulletin!
Future drop ins, 10am-12pm:
Wednesday 16th December, Moss Side Powerhouse
Wednesday 13th January 2027, Manchester College, Openshaw
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Warm welcome
Warm Welcome is a relaxed opportunity to speak with Manchester Parent Carer Forum (MPCF) and the Neurodevelopmental Navigator Team. The next date is Thursday 12th November, 12 noon to 2pm. It's at the North Star Centre, City View House, 5 Union Street, Ardwick, M12 4JD. Book through Eventbrite by clicking on the link.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - MPCF's next Coffee Morning is on Monday 16th November, 10am-12pm, at the North Star Centre.
Autism and ADHD workshops
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. To book, go to the service’s new Eventbrite page where all the workshops are shown in date order.
Early Communication Workshops - NEW!
In-person workshops for parents of children over 5 with social communication differences who are at the early stages of developing their communication skills. (e.g. using no words to communicate or using few words to communicate)
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Workshop 1 - Friday 6th November, 1pm to 2.30pm, Strategies for supporting interaction
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Workshop 2 - Friday 13th November, 1-2.30pm, Strategies for supporting understanding
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Workshop 3 - Friday 20th November, 1-2.30pm, Strategies for supporting communication
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Workshop 4 - Friday 27th November, 1-2.30pm, Using Stories and pictures to support understanding
Riding the Rapids
The Manchester Neurodevelopmental Service is looking for parents and carers to help them create a video introducing the Riding the Rapids course to other families.
If you have previously completed or are currently taking part in Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) Riding the Rapids course for parents/carers of autistic children, then please consider getting involved. Email MCR.NDNavigators@mft.nhs.uk.
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SENDIASS drop ins
Manchester SENDIASS are offering free drop ins at the city’s Family Hubs. They can help you understand SEND rights, make informed decisions, and navigate the system with confidence. Upcoming dates:
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- Sacred Heart Family Hub, Glencastle Road, Gorton, M18 7NE, 10am-12pm on Wednesday 28th October and Wednesday 30th December
- Clayton Family Hub, 101 North Road, Manchester, M11 4NE, 10am-12pm, Wednesday 25th November
- Woodville Family Hub, Shirley Road, Cheetham, M8 0NE, 10am - 12pm, Tuesday 3rd November and Tuesday 1st December.
- Crossacres Family Hub, Poundswick Lane, Wythenshawe, M22 9TA, 10am-12pm, Thursday 5th November and Thursday 3rd December
SENDIASS stands for Special Educational and Disability Information, Advice Support Service. The team can be contacted on sendiass@manchester.gov.uk or by telephone 0161 209 8356, Monday-Friday office hours, 8.30 am-3.30 pm. There is also a website with a range of resources, including these SEND Talk podcasts.
Rare conditions event
If you care for a child with a rare condition or you represent a rare condition support group, the charity Contact are holding a free online event on Thursday 12 November, 10am-12.30pm.
Early Years drop ins
In April, the RHOSEY team moved from Rodney House school back to Manchester City Council. It is now the Manchester SEND Early Development Inclusion Team – or SEDIT, for short. The dates of their next drop ins for parent carers and professionals are:
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- Clayton Family Hub, 101 North Road, Manchester, M11 4NE, 10-12pm Wednesday 25th November
- Sacred Heart Family Hub, Glencastle Road, Gorton, M18 7NE 10-12pm, Wednesday 28th October
The team provide outreach service to families of children with SEND aged 0 to 5 across the city. Find out more about their work.
Toilet training workshop
A free Toilet Training Workshop for Manchester parents/carers is being hosted by the Neurodiversity Learning Hub at Cheetham CofE Community Academy, Halliwells Drive, Manchester M8 9F, on Friday 13th November, 9.30am-12.30pm. It covers common challenges, realistic strategies, building confidence and consistency, alongside opportunities to ask questions and share experiences. Delivered by Faria Arsh from Autism Foundation CIC, the workshop is part of the Hub’s wider series in collaboration with Manchester Parent Carer Forum and Manchester Parent Champions, with support from local partners and professionals. Book here.
Carers Rights Day
Carers Rights Day is a national day that aims to help unpaid carers understand and use their rights. This year, it falls on Thursday 19th November, but there are free events happening across Manchester the whole week. Visit Carers Manchester to find out more.
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Birthday celebration
The SPACE Group Manchester is 6 years old! Come and join your SPACE family at their birthday party and Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday 6th November, 11am-1pm at St George’s Community centre Bothwell Rd M40 7NY. No need to book, just turn up. Food, fun and refreshments in a non-judgemental environment.
Art competition
Disabled and neurodivergent children and young people aged 11-25 are invited to take part in the Youth Voice Matters Art Competition on the theme of Celebrating Joy. All submitted artwork will be showcased at the Youth Matters Conference in February. Closes Monday 30th November.
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