Short Breaks through the Locality Social Work Teams for children with Aspergers, ADHD, and Mental Health Conditions
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Short breaks for children with a disability who are substantially adversely affected in their ability to carry out normal day to day activities by the following conditions need to be applied for though the Locality Social Work Teams:
- High functioning Autism and Aspergers
- Emotional and behavioural difficulties that are not due to one of the areas listed above (this includes ADHD)
- Mental health conditions
- Dyslexia, Dyspraxia (learning difficulties as opposed to learning disabilities)
- Speech and language delays
The above children are considered as disabled under the DDA and are therefore eligible for short breaks under the “Short Breaks Duty” or The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2010.
The provision of short breaks is subject to a social work assessment on ICS and the level of need established through that assessment. A carer’s assessment should also be completed if requested and can be helpful in establishing the additional caring demands as a result of the child’s condition.
The services available to support a child with Aspergers, ADHD, and Mental Health Conditions and their family:
- Locality SW service (Sign posting & Family work)
- Local CAMHS (Behavioural support and management ADHD and Mental Health & Aspergers)
- BFST (Behavioural support and management Aspergers)
- Additional support in accessing mainstream play during the holidays through the Disability inclusion fund.
- Additional support in accessing mainstream after school provision Support in the home Direct payments Respite fostering
- St Quintin (social skills group for Aspergers).
- St Quintin holiday and after school provision for Aspergers children excluded from and unable to access other services.
The nature of and number of hours short breaks allocated to a child and their family will be explored during the assessment and depends on:
- The level of your child’s disability.
- The impact of your child’s disability in being able to care for themselves and keep safe.
- The impact of your child’s disability on family life.
- The ability of the parents to meet their child’s needs.
- Any additional problems the parents might face - housing, finance, domestic violence, Physical or Mental health problems, and substance misuse.
The decision regarding the level of support is made by the Locality Team Manager or can be presented at the Disabled Children’s Resources Panel. Decisions will be made following the social work assessment.
The decision is conveyed to the service user in writing and this should include the timescale for provision (beginning & end). If it is known that what is offered does not meet the wishes expressed by the service user then the reasons for not doing so should be recorded and included in the letter.
Alternatively, families can access support through the core offer without assessment.
(note - support in accessing mainstream services, St Quintin provision, help in the home and direct payments is through section 17 of the 1989 Children Act)