Short breaks for children with disabilities
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Q. 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 and 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.
Q. What is the short breaks transformation programme?
Leading up to the publication in May 2007 of the report Aiming High for Disabled Children, the Government consulted widely on how outcomes for disabled children and young people (CYP), including those with complex health needs, could be improved. A clear message was received from disabled children, young people and their parents, short breaks was a priority and that their current status as an underdeveloped and under-prioritised service needed to change. Consequently, significant funding has been provided by government with a remit to support disabled children and young people through the development of short breaks services.
Q. What are we doing in Shropshire to deliver this programme?
A short breaks working group was set up to drive this programme forward and after a period of analysis and consultation a short breaks strategy was developed for 2009/2010 that identifies our commissioning intentions (including the services we are developing against the funding allocated to us). The working group has now been replaced with a short breaks steering group that meets on a regular basis to progress the development of short breaks services.
Q. Where can I find additional information regarding short breaks or find out how to be involved in the development of short breaks?
Please contact:
- Our Short Breaks Advisor at Shropshire Council on 01743 282370
- Parent Carer Council 01939 290855 (s.e.t.@btopenworld.com)
- Family Information Service (by following the link on this page)