PACTStockport

09/10/2025

🧠 An amazing opportunity to be listened to and have your questions answered...

With more than 10 different organisations present you'll be able to find out what special educational needs support (SEN) is available, speak to mental health services and and see what activities are available for young people during holidays.

🤲 Join us at Autisk, Adswood Young People’s Centre on Tuesday 28 October. Please click the link and register to make sure we are ready for you: https://orlo.uk/aQU9c

09/10/2025

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day - and Samaritans want you to know: they see you, you matter and they are there for you if life feels tough.

Call them on 116 123 💚

09/10/2025

Stockport Town Hall would like to invite you to their Autumn Fayre on Saturday 18th October!

Please see the attached flyer for full details.

In addition to a variety of stalls, they have lots of fun, family-friendly activities planned:

🎨 10:00am – 1:00pm: Claytime
Get hands-on with clay modelling and create your very own masterpiece!

🎧 11:00am – 12:00pm: Spooky Halloween Silent Disco
Dress up in your most frightful costume, grab some headphones, and dance to spooky tunes!

🖍️ 10:00am – 4:00pm: Arts & Crafts with ARC
Unleash your creativity with collages and other crafty activities.

🕵️‍♀️ 10:00am – 4:00pm: Halloween Trail Around the Town Hall
Pick up a trail sheet, find the hidden letters around the stalls, and unscramble them to discover a bewitching word!

📸 11:00am – 2:00pm: Cyanotype Workshop
Try out this magical, camera-less printing technique! Place objects on light-sensitive paper, expose them to UV light, and develop your very own striking blue image.

They hope to see you there for a fun-filled day!

09/10/2025

🚨 ONE FOR THE DADS 🚨

Join us for our next National Seminar on supporting fathers of young children with SEND.

Date: Wednesday 15 October 2025 📆
Time: 11:30 – 13:00 🕑

Join this free, National conversation on how services engage with and support fathers and male carers of early years children with SEND.

With guest speakers; Paul McDaniel - Senior Programme Co-Ordinator at Future Men, Nigel Nicholls - Male parent carer and patron of Contact, Paul Meadows - SENDS 4 Dad, Adam Hindhaugh - Strategic Lead for Early Help and Family Hubs, Halton Borough Council, and Hannah Jones - Fatherhood Champion at Halton Borough Council.

Sign up here: https://f.mtr.cool/hilikxmyfj

09/10/2025

A disabled child receiving social care support in England will move into adult services when they turn 18.

But what *should* happen during the transition period?

Here are the basics — but our website has more information and advice on your family's rights, legal changes, pay structures and responsibility over decisions:

💙contact.org.uk/moving-into-adult-services
💙contact.org.uk/la-services-guide
💙contact.org.uk/care-act-fs

We also have a template letter you can use to ask for your child's assessment 👉 contact.org.uk/transition-letter

09/10/2025

Don't miss this year's Autism A Hands on Approach ONLINE conference on 5th November - this is recorded and can be viewed on catch-up for registered delegates.

Join them for an inspiring day of learning and connection — sharing lived experiences, expert insights, and practical strategies to better support autistic individuals across all settings.

Whether you’re a professional, educator, caregiver, or ally, you’ll leave with actionable tools and a deeper understanding to create more inclusive environments.

To book www.autismahandsonapproach.co.uk/conference


We are also running a short zoom workshop on 23rd Taking Care of Care Staff
to book https://autismahandsonapproach.co.uk/taking-care-of-care-staff/

08/10/2025

Something exciting is coming to SEND Family Play every month 🎉

On top of our usual play sessions, we will be hosting specialist activity once a month to help improve the health and wellbeing of our young people and families.

Booking for sessions are open 1 week in advance. Please complete the following form before booking 😊

https://lifeleisure.jotform.com/232343202456043

07/10/2025

Applications are now open for children starting Reception, Year 3 junior schools and Year 7 in September 2026.

Applications are now open for children starting Reception, Year 3 junior schools and Year 7 in September 2026.

Don’t worry—school places aren’t given on a first-come, first-served basis, so take your time to review our guides and visit schools before applying.

Remember, if your child is going through the Education, Health and Care needs assessment process and does not yet have a finalised EHC Plan, you should still apply for a place by the deadlines:

Year 3 junior schools: Apply by 31 October 2025
Year 7: Apply by 31 October 2025
Reception: Apply by 15 January 2026

For more information, visit the council website – link in comments.

06/10/2025

Now showing

Kellie Bright meets parents fighting for the right education for their autistic children.

06/10/2025

Together Trust are having their next coffee morning held at their central office on Friday 10th October.

This will be held at Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire, SK8 1JE from 10am - 12pm.

This coffee morning is held in the first building on the left as you enter the site.

This is an opportunity to speak to Professional Therapists and other parents and or carers who might be in a similar situation, their team can provide information and support in areas that you might be experiencing difficulties in.

There is plenty of parking towards the rear of the site.

06/10/2025

New Jargon Buster webpage, developed following feedback from parents and carers that some SEND terms for roles and services were confusing and intimidating for families new to the support.

You can help improve it too - if you spot something missing or unclear, please let the web team know on website.updates@stockport.gov.uk

A list of SEND roles and services, helping you to understand some of the terms you might come across.

06/10/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month! 🧡

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a recognised neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. It impacts areas of the brain that control attention, impulse regulation, and activity levels; meaning it can look very different from person to person.

People with ADHD may experience challenges with focus, organisation, and emotional regulation; but they also often show incredible creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to hyper-focus on topics that truly interest them.

It’s important to remember that ADHD is not caused by parenting style, diet, or screen time. It’s a difference in how the brain is wired, and with the right understanding and support, children and adults with ADHD can thrive.

💬 If you’re a parent or carer looking for guidance, these UK organisations offer excellent resources and support:

- ADHD UK - a charity offering information, support, research, advocacy and awareness: https://f.mtr.cool/kmonzonobh
- ADDISS (The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service) – information, publications, and training for parents and professionals: https://f.mtr.cool/xjdrbukohr
- YoungMinds – advice and mental health support for young people with ADHD and their families: https://f.mtr.cool/gypyeghicv
- Mind - advice and mental health support: https://f.mtr.cool/mwumhvjggg

If you need information and advice about education & learning, you can find it here on our website: https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/education-learning/

You can also access our free helpline on 0808 808 3555, or by submitting an online enquiry form here: https://contact.org.uk/submit-a-helpline-query/