Strengthening inclusive neighbourhoods, schools and community spaces to support children & young people with additional needs and their families

The demand for children and young people’s SEND support is growing, leading to increasing waitlists, rising school exclusions, and more children being placed in Tier 4 (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) beds for neurodivergent mental health needs. But what if we could move away from crisis-driven SEND intervention and instead focus on a preventative, community-led, and system-enabled approach that adapts environments to better support SEND needs?

Join us for this upcoming webinar to explore the impact of co-produced and person-centred community interventions in creating SEND-inclusive learning environments and neighbourhoods for children and young people.

We’ll discuss how projects across GM are devolving power to children, parents and carers to influence decision-making, and how collaboration between schools, families, and community organisations are being strengthened to provide wrap-around SEND support. By working together, listening and empowering children and young people, these approaches are improving support for SEND children, their families, and carers, while also helping to reduce school exclusions and waiting times for healthcare-focused SEND services.

Speakers Include:

Diane Ainsworth, Pioneer House

Carla Chorlton, Neurodiversity in Education GM

Maria Simpkin and Parent/Carer Forum Reps, Manchester City Council

About Live Well Live

Live Well Live is a series of online monthly interactive webinars that bring Greater Manchester’s movement for community-led health and wellbeing to life. From provocations to practice, these events showcase what’s already happening in communities and keep the conversation about growing community action, power, and wealth LIVE!

Live Well is Greater Manchester’s commitment to ensuring great everyday support is available in every neighbourhood. It tackles health, social, and economic inequalities by changing how we work with communities and public services to grow opportunities for everyone to Live Well.

All webinars in the Live Well Live series will be recorded, and the recording will be shared after the event via our newsletter.

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LW Live: Strengthening Support for Young People with Additional Needs