Short Breaks for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, come in many different forms. They can -
- provide opportunities for disabled children to enjoy themselves and fulfil their potential through safe experiences with or without their parent or carer
- give parent or carers a break from caring, enabling them to have time to undertake whatever they would like to do, such as leisure activities, day-to day tasks, spending time with other family members or education/training opportunities
- enhance the abilities of parents and carers to care more effectively
Short Breaks can last anything from a couple of hours to an evening, overnight, weekend or longer and can be offered during evenings, weekends during term times and during school holidays. Short Breaks can take place within or outside the home, in the community or in a residential setting.
For some short breaks an assessment of need may be necessary to ensure that the right level of support and short break activities/services are used.
Who can access Short Breaks?
Short breaks are available for children and young people from birth to their 18th birthday who are disabled, and/or have complex health needs where their disability has a significant impact on them and family life. LAFSS offer a drop in session each Friday from ages 14 and up to age 25 years.
How to access Short Breaks
Universal short breaks can be accessed without an assessment. Providers of Targeted and Specialist Services may have their own criteria and/or carry out an assessment through home visit to ensure they are able to offer the best support. More specialist short breaks services for the most complex young people generally require an assessment through the Children and Families Disability Team and/or Health’s Children and Young People’s Continuing Care.
For more information about how to access short breaks, access the Short Breaks Statement 2026 or contact -
- Family Information Service - 01482 318 318
- Children and Families Disabilities Team, telephone - 01482 715 155
- Children and Young People’s Continuing Care through the Single Point of Access Team (for Community Children’s Nursing Service, Continuing Care Team and Community Paediatricians), telephone - 01482 221 261
- KIDS, telephone - 01482 467 540