Short Breaks for Disabled Children

Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide short breaks for disabled children, yet many families caring for a child with special needs are unaware of this obligation. Birmingham City Council has been piloting an innovative scheme, working with expert partners, such as national disability charity, Sense, to provide tailored holidays suited to the individual needs of the child.

Sense wants other local authorities to commit to provide similar breaks for families with disabled children

Now Sense is calling on other local authorities to commit to providing similar appropriate short breaks for families with children who have multi-sensory impairments or complex needs, following an independent evaluation of the Birmingham project, which showed that both the children and their families, benefitted from the respite. During the short break in Macaroni Woods in the Cotswolds, the children were able to find new interests, build new relationships and friendships, and take part in a range of activities from music, art and baking cakes to go-karting, whilst the families and carers had some respite from caring.

Key findings from the report by the University of Chester include:

• 83 percent of carers felt better able to cope following the break

• 100 percent of beneficiaries came home happy from the short break and 80 percent came home relaxed

• 100 percent of beneficiaries stated they would like to go on holiday again next year

• 83 percent of carers said that the holiday allowed them to have an uninterrupted night’s sleep during the week

• 100 percent benefited from the lack of responsibility and stress for a week

• 100 percent said that the holiday is the most significant break they get from caring

Amanda Lippitt was delighted her 13 year old son could take part in the short break

Amanda Lippitt is mum to 13 year old Matthew Cockerill. Matthew receives limited respite due to the complex nature of his Autistic Spectrum Disorder and additional medical needs. Amanda was therefore delighted that Matthew could be accommodated for during the short break.

Amanda was previously unaware of the provision of short breaks:

“I didn’t know about short breaks and was contacted by the family support worker for social services. Matthew had never been on a short break before so there was some anxiety especially as he is non-verbal. However, the staff were absolutely unbelievable and showed huge attention to detail, they made me as a parent feel very comfortable.”

Birmingham provides services for up to 7000 children and carers

Like all local authorities, Birmingham City Council is legally bound to provide a range of short break services for disabled children. The council currently plans services for up to 7000 children and carers, of which, around 10% are children with substantial complex needs.

Birmingham City Council has an innovative approach to short breaks by working with Sense which will hopefully become standard for other local authorities

Richard Kramer, Deputy Chief Executive at Sense, said:

“Birmingham City Council’s approach to short break provision is innovative, by working in partnership with Sense and the families they were able to create a tailored holiday suited to each individual.

“We would love to see this type of commitment from other local authorities as unfortunately, children and their families often miss out on much needed respite because the provision does not cater for their care needs. For example, they may require specialist communication, management of behavioural needs or assistance with medical problems.

“Programmes like these provide preventative support, by increasing independence and promoting good physical and mental health.”

 

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Further reading and resources

Free Sit to be Fit exercise programme
Follow the link for further information on Sense short breaks (it will open in a new browser window)

We have a section dedicated to products and services for families with a disabled child

Information for families with a child who has hydrocephalus

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