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Welcome to the summer edition of SENDing you news. In this issue, we’re sharing the latest updates on engagement activities happening across our community. This includes the conversations at June’s 'Cuppa and Chat' event at Active Hyde, as well as the upcoming National Autism Awareness Conference taking place this month. We’ll also be highlighting various events and sessions designed for young people and parents/carers to get involved in.
In addition, we’ve got important news for families across Tameside – thousands may be eligible for savings on childcare costs for school-aged children. Be sure to check out the details so you don’t miss out on this opportunity. We are also thrilled to offer more ways for young people to engage – find out how you can take part in the next SEND Youth Council session. Plus, there’s a whole host of exciting activities lined up, both during the school holidays and throughout term time, for families across the borough.
Hilary Cook, Head of SEND
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Tameside Council and NHS Greater Manchester respond to SEND inspection report with commitment to improvement Tameside Council and NHS Greater Manchester acknowledge the findings and have responded to the recent Area SEND inspection (May 2025) with a firm commitment to making improvements for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The Council and NHS are united in their commitment to act swiftly and decisively, and an action plan is being developed to speed up improvements. This will build on the changes already underway and focus on key areas to provide children and young people with SEND, and their families, the support that they need to thrive.
Read about the SEND inspection report.
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You Said, We Are Doing The conversations at June’s Cuppa and a Chat event at Active Hyde were very insightful and valuable and Tameside Council’s SEND team got to hear about important perspectives on which to reflect. The input from parents and carers really helps shape future work, continuing to improve support for children and young people with SEND.
‘You Said, We Are Doing’ outlines the key discussions and next steps.
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Autism Awareness Conference 2025 This years Autism Awareness Conference has been announced, hosted by Tameside Arts Ltd on Wednesday 23 July, from 10:30am–2:30pm. This event will bring together individuals with lived experience, professionals, and community members to explore autism through personal stories, interactive discussions, and creative workshops. This is a free event, but spaces are limited.
Location: The Create Centre, 8-10 Market Street, Denton, Manchester, M34 2XW
Reserve your place now!
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Spotlight on…Nature Explorers Nature Explorers is an outdoor stay and play session run by Mencap Family Engagement Project in partnership with LEAP at their incredible allotment, for families of children 0-6-years with SEND or emerging needs. The session is held fortnightly on Thursdays from 10am-11:30am at Leap Allotments, Community Green allotments, Meadow Lane, Dukinfield, SK16 4AN. The LEAP allotment has a dedicated play space for early years children.
For information about the sessions, please contact Jennifer.watson@mencap.org.uk or call 07977 162375.
View Mencap Family Engagement Project Facebook page.
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Mencap Upcoming Events This July and August, Mencap Family Engagement Project are hosting a series of events and sessions for young people with SEND, along with their parents and carers. From relaxed coffee mornings to nature-based adventures, these activities offer welcoming spaces to connect, learn, and grow together.
Find out more about the sessions.
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Active Tameside: July events Family Festival is back for 2025! Get ready for a day filled with music, food, and fun for the whole family. Join them at Active Ken Ward on Sunday 27 July at 12:00pm for a day you won't forget. Enjoy live performances from local bands and artists, delicious food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Stalybridge, Dukinfield and Mossley Primary Care Network (PCN) are also hosting a learning disabilities health event aimed at supporting the wellbeing of individuals with SEND over the age of 14. The event will be held at Active Copley and provide a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment for attendees to received tailored health information. Find out how to book onto the events.
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SEND Youth Council The SEND Youth Council is a place where children, young people (CYP) and their families can come together to share thoughts and feelings around issues they face when accessing services in Tameside.
They give CYP the opportunity to have their ‘voice’ heard and share their experiences (good or bad) in a safe environment. They listen and advocate for CYP and ensure their ‘voice’ will help to develop services across Tameside.
For their next meeting they will be partnering with OKE's family session (Clip n Climb and soft play) on Wednesday 23 July at Active Medlock 4:30pm-5:30pm.
Find out how to get involved.
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Spotlight on…Tameside Little Gems Tameside Little Gems (TLG) are running a sensory and gaming session which helps parents and children attend a safe and comfortable social environment. Parents can speak with others, and many have gained new friendships and support from those who understand what life can be like living with a SEND child.
Day: Last Sunday of every month Time: 10am-12pm Location: Aqua Nurture, Knott Lane, Gee Cross, SK14 5BS
Families can contact their Facebook page for further information.
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New Adult Autism and Mental Health Group (18+) The Together Centre are creating a new group for adults (18+) on the autism spectrum and/or have a mental health diagnosis which will run every Wednesday form 11am until 12:30pm at 287 Birch Lane, Dukinfield, SK16 5AU.
Karen Evans, Centre Manager at The Together Centre recently secured some funding to provide this group and she is a mother to a 26-year-old daughter who has autism and a serious mental heath diagnosis – understanding what others might be going through.
Get in touch at karen@thetogethercentre.org.uk
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The SEND Dads’ Society The SEND Dads’ Society is a male social club supporting the families of the Greater Manchester area who have or care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The free drop-in sessions are for adults only with no diagnosis needed to attend. - Peer support available
- Signposting to activities, services and the Parent Carer Forum in your area
- Organised fundraising events for sensory equipment in Greater Manchester schools
Meetings for 2025 are:
18 September - 7:30pm-9pm and 20 November - 7:30pm-9pm
Where: Heaton Park Golf Club, Middleton Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 2SW Phone: 07940 560655 Facebook: SEND Dads’ Society
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Did You Know? We Have a Graduated Response Page Being taught by well-qualified teachers alongside their peers can be really important for children and young people with SEND.
There are a few ways where children and young people can receive support, this includes: - identifying needs early,
- listening to the child/young person and their family in making decisions, setting, outcomes and measuring progress,
- the use of additional resources and support in schools/settings,
- having SEND qualified leadership,
- having good quality assurance processes.
We’re working to improve our SEND provision and the speed in which we support children and young people. This includes updating our current Graduated Response document with Tameside health, education and social care practitioners. Here is our current document.
Find the support available with the Graduated Response.
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Families Could be Missing Out on Childcare Savings Thousands of families across Tameside could be eligible for savings when paying for childcare for school-aged children. Working families sending their child to school for the first time in September are encouraged to check if they are entitled to the government’s Tax-Free Childcare support.
Tax-Free Childcare can be used flexibly to pay for childminders, after-school clubs, school holiday care or wraparound childcare. Parents can use the scheme to pay for childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 if the child has a disability.
Find out about Tax-Free Childcare.
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Free Childcare Expands to 30-Hours for Working Parents Working families in Tameside may be able to benefit from 30-hours of free childcare for children aged under three from this September. Eligible families can now apply from the term after their child turns 9-months until they reach school age, joining over 4,000 parents in Tameside already taking advantage of free childcare places.
To check if you are eligible for free childcare and to apply, visit the Childcare Choices website.
For more information on how to find a place, contact the Family Information Service on 0161 342 4260.
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StreetGames and Neurodiverse CIC Survey StreetGames are working in partnership with Neurodiverse Sport CIC, whose team combines lived experience with specialist knowledge to drive a future where neuroinclusive practice is standard, not the exception.
They hope you’ll join them on the first step of this journey, as they gather insight from across their network through their survey.
Find out more about the survey.
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