Short Breaks - More Information

What is a Short Break?

Short breaks enable disabled children, young people and adults to have time away from their carers, explore new opportunities, have fun and broaden their social networks whilst promoting independence. They can provide families with an opportunity to have a break from their caring responsibilities, and can last from a few hours to a few days, evenings, overnight and weekends.

Who Are Short Breaks For?

Families with children between the age of 0 and 18 may be entitled to short breaks if they are affected in their everyday living by one or more of the following:

• Severe physical, learning disability or sensory impairment, which is substantial and  has a negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.
• Profound multiple disability
• Children with complex physical health needs and those with life-limiting where these severely impact the functioning of the child.
• Children with autism who also meets one of the above criteria

The majority of support provided by the Disabled Children’s Service is directed to children of school age, however pre-school referrals will be considered on a case by case, in consultation with the relevant multi-agency professionals and where there is assessed significant developmental delay as set out in the criteria above. Those disabled children and young people who do not meet the above criteria, may be entitled to access other services through the ‘Local Offer’ Early Help or Locality Teams.

Short breaks can provide a range of support according to the age of the child. 

Benefits of Short Breaks 

Providing short breaks has helped many families live a better quality of life, for example having a supported holiday together, with parents having some time to rest or spend with other children in the family and disabled children, young people and adults taking part in many new activities which they have enjoyed.

In some cases, the support offered by the short break service has helped prevent family stress and breakdown. Many families have also felt it has enabled them to become stronger and better able to manage.

Children and young people have told us that they are now able to go out much more than before. They can choose what activities they want to do and who they want to go to activities with. There is more to do in their local area and they feel much happier.

Our Vision for the Service

• ALL children and families receive a positive welcome to the service
• Parents/Carers are treated with respect and dignity at all times
• We can meet the needs of all children in our service.
• We offer a menu of short break options for families
• There is robust tracking and assessment in place to ensure care package arrangements
  are fair for all the families we support.
• Staff are well trained and confident supporting children with SEND
• Parent/carers are fully included and are actively involved in all decision-making processes regarding their children
• Multi-agency working is strong and effective
• There are consistently high expectations for staff and children
• There is a graduated approach with clear record keeping
• Partnership with parents is valued
• The voice of the child is heard throughout our service