What is a short break?
A “short break” is a broad term used to describe different types of services that give you a break from your caring responsibilities.
It covers the Council’s statutory responsibility to support you to access regular breaks as part of a proactive and preventative approach to care (read Appendix 1 for more information on this). This means working to keep families together, preventing family breakdown and avoiding children and young people with a disability becoming a Child in Care.
A short break should have positive outcomes for your family.
It could allow you to rest, unwind and focus on your own health and wellbeing while your child is being cared for elsewhere. It may give you the opportunity to spend time with other members of your family, to socialise, to do some exercise or other leisure activity, or to start a course or training programme that interests you.
It should help you to maintain a good family life while providing opportunities for your child to spend time away from home, or at home with other trusted adults - having fun, building relationships and trying new things.