Who is a short break for?
A short break is a package of care, usually for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with a disability. It could also be for children in need who do not have any form of a diagnosis and are not open to the Children with Disabilities Team. Eligible children and young people are likely to have needs that impact their lives in a range of ways, but most commonly include:
- Learning disability
- Physical disability
- Sensory impairment
- Profound and multiple learning disabilities
- Autism and/or ADHD
- Mental health needs
- Behaviours that can challenge including conduct disorders or Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD).
- Chronic health condition
- Post-operative care needs
We know that not all children and families will need the same level of support and the same type of short break. Some will need large packages of care and support throughout childhood. Others will need short term support through a particularly specific time or change in family circumstances. It is important that your child and your family have the right level and amount of support at the right time.
To see what help might be needed, we will need to do an assessment. The Children with Disabilities Team commit to children and young people having fair access to short breaks. We also want to make sure there are short breaks available across the county.