The Social Communication Pathway (SCP) is the local autism assessment service in Manchester. The SCP team is a multi-agency team which assesses social communication difficulties in children and young people living in Manchester. If a young person or their family thinks they might be autistic, this team will make an assessment to see if they meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism.

You can read more about the SCP on the University of Manchester NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) website.

There is also a new Social Communication Pathway for Early Years children (i.e., those aged 5 years or younger) that was piloted in South Manchester in 2022-2024. You can read about that here: http://manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk/the-early-years-social-communication-pathway/
The Early Years SCP pilot has shown a number of positive outcomes so we are hoping that it will get implemented across Manchester someday.

Below are some articles and events on our website that are related to the SCP:

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Community Play Workshop

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Community Play Workshop

This workshop considers the particular challenges parents/carers can face when toilet training a child with social communication differences. Ideal for those with children aged 0 to 5 years.

By Jordan @ MPCF|2025-08-31T13:52:17+01:00October 13th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, play, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, sensory integration needs, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding Communication Differences (North Manchester)

Understanding Communication Differences (North Manchester)

This session provides information around speech and language and communication, delivered by Speech and Language Therapists.

By Karen Woodhouse|2025-07-15T15:31:09+01:00October 9th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), communication, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, North Manchester, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway|

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Sensory Workshop

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Sensory Workshop

This workshop will develop your understanding of the sensory system. It considers how neurodivergent individuals may experience sensory differences.

By Jordan @ MPCF|2025-08-25T10:50:34+01:00October 7th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, sensory processing, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

This workshop considers the particular challenges parents/carers can face when toilet training a child with social communication differences. Ideal for those with children aged 0 to 5 years.

By Jordan @ MPCF|2025-08-31T13:01:48+01:00October 7th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, eating challenges, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing (North Manchester)

Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing (North Manchester)

This session discusses information around Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Well-being delivered by Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Practitioners.

By Karen Woodhouse|2025-07-15T16:47:10+01:00October 2nd, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, mental health and wellbeing, North Manchester, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway|

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Toilet Training Workshop

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Toilet Training Workshop

This workshop considers the particular challenges parents/carers can face when toilet training a child with social communication differences. Ideal for those with children aged 0 to 5 years.

By Jordan @ MPCF|2025-08-25T11:45:16+01:00September 26th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway, toilet training, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding and Working with the Education System (Central Manchester): Aimed at parents/carers of SECONDARY + aged young people

Understanding and Working with the Education System (Central Manchester): Aimed at parents/carers of SECONDARY + aged young people

This session is delivered by Educational Psychologists and provides all information related to SEN and School.

By Karen Woodhouse|2025-07-15T16:42:26+01:00September 25th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Education, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, North Manchester, One Education, primary school, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, SENDIASS, Social Communication Pathway|

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Sensory Workshop

Under-5s SCP – Parent/Carer Sensory Workshop

Delivered by Occupational Therapists in the team, this session offers information for parents around sensory behaviours and how to support this at home.

By Jordan @ MPCF|2025-08-23T14:19:45+01:00September 19th, 2025|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, sensory processing, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding Sensory Differences (Central Manchester)

Understanding Sensory Differences (Central Manchester)

Delivered by Occupational Therapists in the team, this session offers information for parents around sensory behaviours and how to support this at home.