What are Short Breaks?
Short Breaks provide opportunities for disabled children and young people to spend time away from their primary carers. This includes day, evening, overnight or weekend activities, which can take place in the child’s own home, the home of an approved carer, or a residential or community setting. Short Breaks can also be provided through a temporary carer relieving the primary carer of their caring responsibilities without them being separated from the disabled child or young person.
Information regarding the availability of Short Breaks can be found on the 'All In' activity programme. The most recent edition can be found by clicking on the Short Breaks 'All In' activity programmes page on the left.
Short Breaks progress and future planning
Since 2008, Shropshire Council has transformed the Short Break programme to provide greater capacity for, and variety of, Short Breaks available to Shropshire families.
From April 2011, Shropshire Council is required to work in accordance with 'The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2010'. Please follow the link on this page for further information regarding the regulations.
The regulations required local authorities to prepare a Statement for Carers by 1 October 2011. Please follow the link on this page to view the statement.
Further funding has been secured up to April 2013 and the focus now will be to maintain and develop the quality of provision available, ensuring that as many children, young people and families can benefit as possible.
A draft copy of the Short Breaks Strategy for 2011-2013 is also available to view by following the link at the bottom of the page.
For further information regarding Short Breaks, please contact the Service Development Officer at the Disabled Children's Team on 01743 282370.
Other useful contacts:
- Family Information Service on 01743 254400 or by following the link on this page
- Shropshire Parent and Carer Council on 0845 601 2205 or enquiries@paccshropshire.org.uk (website link below)
- Parent Partnership on 01952 457176 or info@pps-shropshireandtelford.org.uk (website link below)