Short breaks

Your child's care package will detail their short breaks entitlement.

Targeted short breaks

Targeted short breaks are activities designed for children and young people who:

• need extra support to take part in activities
• attend education with access to one-to-one or small group learning
• would benefit from social activities with their peers

These activities are staffed by professionals who are trained and experienced in supporting children and young people with SEND.

Specialist short breaks

Who can access specialist short breaks

Specialist short breaks are designed for children and young people who:

• have more complex needs
• need highly specialist care that targeted support cannot provide
• have a care package that recommends specialist short breaks

A social worker may recommend specialist short breaks as part of the care package if your child has:

• severe learning disabilities
• severe physical disabilities
• severe and profound autistic spectrum disorders
• disability arising out of serious or chronic illness
• complex health needs
• severe sight and/or hearing impairment

Specialist short break activities

These are activities that:

• have more staff than targeted short breaks
• typically offer one-on-one support
• are run by staff who are trained and experienced in supporting children and young people with complex needs

Assessing specialist short break needs

Our Short Breaks Panel assess the need for specialist short breaks. The panel is made up of representative from:

• local specialist SEND services
• schools
• children’s nursing

They work closely with the NHS when a child needs specialist social care and specialist health care.

The panel will:

• review your child's care package
• consider the need for specialist short breaks support
• make a decision about what's needed
• let you know the outcome
• tell the health and care professionals working with your child

Find out more about how the panel makes decisions about specialist short breaks:

Overnight short breaks

Overnight short breaks are for children and young people who have:

• complex health needs or severe and profound disabilities
• overnight care needs identified in their Disabled Child Support Plan

The overnight care is designed around individual needs and care may be provided:

• in their own home
• in a residential home
• by an individual, a couple or another family