Short breaks
Overview
Short Breaks are services that support families with a child or young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They give children the chance to have fun, make friends, and enjoy time away from their families – whilst giving parents and carers a break from their caring responsibilities; and are designed to meet different levels of need.
Short Breaks services can include:
- daytime care at home or elsewhere
- overnight care at home or elsewhere
- educational or leisure activities away from home
- services to assist carers during evenings, weekends and school holidays
The importance of Short Breaks
We recognise and value the vital role that parents and carers play in supporting children and young people with SEND. We understand the challenges families face and the importance of having access to services that offer meaningful short breaks from caring responsibilities and the benefits this brings to their wellbeing.
These services also offer opportunities for children and young people to engage in enriching, enjoyable experiences that support their personal growth and development.
Every Short Break opportunity should help enable children and young people to have fun, build friendships, and grow in confidence and independence. They also support the development of important social and emotional skills that help prepare young people for a successful transition to adulthood.
Levels of short breaks
The West Cheshire Continuum of Need sets out three levels of support available to ensure children and young people access the right short breaks to meet their needs:
Universal Services
Universal Services include community-based services, such as pre-school play groups, out of school clubs, holiday activities, and sports.
Targeted Services
Targeted Services include specialist groups for children unable to attend Universal Services group-based activities, such as play and youth groups, holiday groups, and after school groups.
They also include individual payments where families are able to access up to £1000 per year per child or young person where they meet the eligibility criteria
Complex/Specialist Services
Complex/Specialist Services include a high level of care and support across all times of the day and in different settings. Services include care at home and in the community, daytime nursing care, and overnight residential respite care.
They also include individual payments and access to Direct Payments.
Current Targeted Services
In Cheshire West and Chester there are a number of Targeted Services currently commissioned (or bought in) by us. They are:
Targeted Community-based Group Activities known as Energise, and currently delivered by Endorphins Group Limited, offer engaging and inclusive group sessions. These sessions include:
- themed activities, games and sports tailored to all abilities
- a safe and supportive environment to have fun, learn, build confidence, and make friends
- free access, either through families booking directly or via referrals from Children’s Social Care, for those with an assessed need.
If families have specific questions for The Endorphins Group, they can contact them directly by calling 0330 133 2642 or emailing Bookings@endorphins.uk
Targeted Brokerage Service, known as Community Connections and currently delivered by Disability Positive, helps families access community-based Short Breaks through:
- information and advice to help identify universal activity services within the community
- practical support to enable children or young people to participate in new activities – a support worker is provided for a limited time to help the child or young person settle into the group
- individual payments of up to £1000 per year, per child or young person, are available to pay for activities that meet their needs and provide a short break for parents, carers, or siblings - provided eligibility criteria are met
If families have specific questions for Disability Positive, they can contact them directly by calling 01606 331853 or emailing them info@disabilitypositive.org
Contact us
If you want to find out more information please contact our team:
- Email: shortbreaks@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- By post: Short Breaks for disabled children, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA
- Phone: 0300 123 8123
