Children and young people with SEND news

Oldham Council has quietly renewed its deal with POINT, the local charity that keeps short breaks, play sessions and leisure clubs open for children with special needs. The two-year extension means parents who rely on these after-school and holiday slots can keep booking them without a gap.

POINT has run the service since the last contract began. Staff know the families, the medical kit and the quiet corners where an overwhelmed child can calm down. That continuity matters more than any headline figure, because switching providers often means weeks of paperwork and missed sessions.

Council papers released on 28 November do not spell out the exact sum, but officers describe the funding as 'vital' to hold current places. The money covers hire of church halls, trained play workers and one-to-one buddies who let siblings join in without parents having to stay.

The latest count shows 3,100 Oldham children have an Education, Health and Care Plan, up from 2,650 three years ago. Each family can request up to 100 hours of short breaks a year, yet many say they still receive far less because clubs fill quickly.

The extension runs to December 2027. After that, the council must either re-tender or find new money, and parents already worry the pot will not stretch.