Short breaks for disabled children
A short break gives a child or young person with a disability
the opportunity to spend time away from their family taking part in
leisure activities or simply relaxing. Families in turn get a break
from their caring responsibilities.
Short breaks can be during the day or evening or overnight, at
weekends or mid-week and most take place in community settings
whilst a small number are in a residential setting or the family
home of an approved carer. They can be as brief as a couple of
hours or as long as a few days or even a week, depending on the
needs and preferences of the child and their family.
Some examples are:
- Befriending schemes
- Play schemes and youth clubs
- Aromatherapy sessions
- Swimming lessons
- Overnight stays
- Circus skills
- Sporting activities
Since April 2011 there has been a duty on local authorities to
provide breaks from caring for families of disabled children. We
must also must publish a Short Breaks statement so that families
know:
- The range of short breaks available
- How these services can be accessed
- How the services will meet the needs of families with disabled
children
- The criteria for eligibility
The Regulations
The aim of the regulations are to make sure that we:
- provide opportunities for disabled children to enjoy themselves
and fulfil their potential
- enhance the abilities of carers to care more effectively
We must also provide a service to carers of disabled children in
order to allow them to continue to care more effectively and so
that they have the opportunity to undertake education, training,
leisure activities and/or day-to-day tasks.
In Rochdale we work closely with, parents, carers, disabled
young people and professionals to put together and review our Short
Break statement (available below) and our programme of activities.
We offer a range of short breaks in the evenings, at weekends and
during holidays, including; day time care in or outside the child’s
home and educational and leisure activities, some
of which can be found in our self referral matrix.
Short
Break self referral matrix of activities (20kb pdf) .
View Rochdale Borough Council's Short
Break Statement
Latest news and events
Are you a parent or carer of a child with a disability? Join us
at our informal drop in session for support and relaxation.
A new
calendar with dates through to December 2012 is now available
(66.3kb pdf).
If you would like any further information please contact us
using the details on the right.