In your area

Helps parent carers stay informed about local services, changes to SEND provision, and gives opportunities to influence how those services are delivered. Good place to find advice and connect with others in similar situations.

A group based in Wythenshawe for parents and carers of children with SEND. A chance to connect, share experience, get support, and find local services.

Email: sendtogethersg@gmail.com,
07591 078944

Provides support to older parent carers of people with learning disabilities. THRIVE helps with many aspects of care, including future care planning, form filling and emotional wellbeing.

Support for parent carers, including advice, emotional and practical help, help with forms, advocacy, short break information. They also run the Carers Manchester Contact Point.

Telephone: 0161 543 8000;
Email: contactpoint@carersmanchester.org.uk

Free, confidential, and impartial information, advice and support for parents, carers and young people (0-25) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. They assist with EHCP assessments and reviews, navigating SEND support in school, help in meetings, and resolving disagreements.

Helpline: 0161 209 8356
Email: sendiass@manchester.gov.uk

This is Manchester City Council’s directory of all things SEND: education, health, social care, what’s available locally, and how to access it. Also includes drop-ins, guidance for new parent carers, newsletters etc.

Tel: 0161 219 2125;
Email: localoffer@manchester.gov.uk

A forum for parents and carers in Salford to share experiences, have their voices heard, stay up to date with SEND service developments, and help shape how services are provided locally.

Offers information, advice and support to parents, carers, children and young people about special educational needs and disability in Salford. Helps with understanding and navigating SEND processes, understanding rights, and signposting to further support.

Works across all schools in Salford to support children with SEND and those working with them (schools/staff). Provides workshops, practical support, guidance to teachers, help with setting targets, differentiation, and supporting children directly. Also supports with EHCP process and reviews.

Based at: Moorside High School, Deans Road, Salford, M27 0AP.
Email: adminsupport@salford.gov.uk

Free, impartial service offering advice, support and information on SEND (0-25), for parents/carers and young people.

Tel: 0161 240 6168
Email: stockportsendiass@togethertrust.org.uk

The Parent/Carer Forum for Stockport, supporting parents/carers of children & young people with SEND aged 0-25.

Phone: 07786 101 072

Youth club, open to young people including those with disabilities; social / recreational opportunities.

Mutual support group for children with Down’s Syndrome and their families in Bolton with monthly meet-ups.

Leverhulme Childrens Centre Leverhulme Park Commun, BL2 6EB
01204 480480
chair@boltonsmileyfaces.org.uk

Provides legally informed information, advice & support to parents/carers of children with SEND (0-25), also direct support to young people. Covers education, health, social care

Sessions are for children aged between 0-5 years old to give parents, carers, their children and siblings the opportunity to meet other families and to gain information about services and support available within Bolton. Children without a diagnosis are welcome to join these sessions. Sessions are free of charge and are held every Thursday morning (during term time) from 10:00am - 11:30am.

For more information, please contact Liane Fishwick, the SEND Stay and Play Coordinator by e-mail: FishwickL@theorchards.bolton.sch.uk or telephone: 01204 332680.

Bolton Parent Carer Forum are the designated Parent Carer Forum (PCF) for the Bolton area. This means that they receive an annual grant from the Department for Education to ensure parent participation in our area. Parent participation is the phrase used to describe parents and carers of children and young people with SEND being actively involved at a strategic level in their local area. This is across education, health care and social care services and providers.

Forum for parents/carers of children & young people (0-25) with SEND in Bury. Offers membership, events, training & workshops, wellbeing sessions, peer support and the opportunity to shape local services.

Free, impartial, confidential information & advice for children/young people aged 0-25 and parents/carers. Advice includes: SEN support in schools, Education Health & Care Plans (EHCP), appeals, transport, transitions.

Provides post-diagnostic support for autism/ADHD, and one-to-one help for families (e.g. navigating social care, liaising with school).

Free service for parents/carers, young people, and those supporting families that provides directory of activities, help & childcare information and advice

National, but supports families in Bury; gives grants for things like sensory toys and family breaks.

Advice & support services under Local Offer.

Supporting learners with Down’s syndrome in Oldham; uses digital tools etc.

Adapted and universal cycling centre, for children, young people and adults with additional needs/disabilities. Located in Alexandra Park, Oldham.

Supports children with sensory or physical impairments in Oldham.

Monthly meet ups (play, chat) for children & families and provides peer support & connection.

0759 1035 854
D.S.Oldham@outlook.com

Parent-led support group for families with children with Down’s Syndrome. They provide monthly meetings, play, speech & language support

Provides independent, confidential advice & support around education, health, social care for children/young people with additional needs or disabilities. Also runs the Oldham Parent/Carer Forum.

Tel: 0161 503 1540 
Email: iassoldham@point-send.co.uk
Address: Chadderton Court, 451 Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 9LB 

Free, impartial & confidential information and advice for children & young people (0-25) with SEND, and their parents/carers. Services include helpline, factsheets, support at meetings, drop-ins.

Parent/carer forum for Rochdale, Heywood, Pennines, Middleton; representing families’ voices, running peer support, training, events and signposting.

A multiagency signposting & support service for families whose children are neurodivergent or have social communication differences; no diagnosis needed.

The Children with Disabilities Team sits within the Family Support and Protection Service and aims to provide help and protection for children and young people with complex health needs, whose disability significantly impacts their development, safety, or well-being, and who may be at risk without statutory intervention of a social worker. hey work to assess and offer appropriate support and protection, which includes assessments for short break services to children who have a diagnosed disability and or complex health needs and their families.

Independent, impartial service that gives advice & support on SEND issues for children & young people 0-25 and their parents/carers.

Contact: Tel: 0161 342 3383;
Email: sendiass@tameside.gov.uk

A parent-led group for parents/carers of children/young people with Down’s syndrome in Tameside & East Manchester.

Support for families with SEND children with IPSEA SENLAW/EHCP advice, online peer support and parent/carer meet-ups.

A parent-run support group in Tameside for families of children/young people with special needs/disability.

Supports, empowers and informs parent carers & families of children/young people (0-25) with SEND and provides training, events, peer support, representation in local SEND policy & changes.

Free, confidential, impartial advice & support for parents/carers, and for young people (0-25) with SEND. Covers EHCPs, resolving disagreements, transitions, health & social care aspects.

Contact: Phone 0161 912 3150;
Email: sendiass@trafford.gov.uk

Practical & emotional support for Trafford parent carers, They offer practical and emotional support to any parent carer in Trafford who has a child or young person that has any Special Educational Needs and Disability - whether diagnosed or not.

Email step@traffordparentsforum.com
Phone 0808 808 3555

The SEND Padlet supports parents and carers of children and young people with SEND as well as practitioners.