Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People
Last updated: 13 April 2012 09:55 UKShort breaks provide opportunities for disabled children and young people to access universal/mainstream sessions such as after school clubs, activity groups, clubs and day care settings enabling them to spend time away from their primary carers. This also benefits parents and carers too, by giving them valuable time away from their caring responsibilities.
Short breaks may also include specialist sessions for children and young people with more complex needs and can include both day and overnight provision.
They give children and young people the chance to develop new friendships, take part in new experiences and to have fun doing positive activities.
The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 set out the local authority’s duty towards carers of disabled children and young people.
The regulations require each local authority to produce a Short Breaks Statement so that families know:
- What services are available
- The eligibility criteria for these services
- How the range of services is designed to meet the needs of families with disabled children in their area.
There are already a range of services available to support short breaks and these are set to increase.
Children and young people are eligible for support and services if they have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
There are different eligibility criteria for short breaks services within the city. Services have been offered at three different levels that reflect the extent of the individual needs, Universal, Targeted and Specialist each with different eligibility criteria.
The Eligibility Criteria document gives more detailed information on which criteria may apply to you.
