Short breaks

Short breaks are provided to give:

• Disabled children and young people enjoyable experiences away from their primary carers, thereby contributing to their personal and social development and reducing social isolation;
• Parents and families a necessary and valuable break from caring responsibilities.

Short breaks come in a variety of formats and each one can last from just a few hours to a few days, and occasionally longer, depending on the type of provision and the needs of the child and their family. These include day, evening, overnight and weekend activities and can take place in the child’s own home, the home of an approved carer, a residential or community setting.

Our local definition of a short break is:

• Time away from the family for the disabled child or young person, giving them the opportunity for independence, to have fun with their peers, make new friends and have new experiences.
• A break from caring for their parents and siblings – locally we have agreed that a short break would usually be a minimum of 2 hours when family members do not have to be present to provide care or support for the disabled young person.

Buckinghamshire met the Full Service Offer under AHDC during 2010/11
What was the Full Service Offer?

It was up to each Local Authority to decide what sorts of short break services are needed in their area and use the Aiming High grant to put them in place.

The short break services must meet the Full Service Offer, which states that a short break service should:

• be based on a needs assessment of the local disabled child population, taking into account the voice of disabled children, young people and their families
• increase the quantity and quality of short breaks currently available
• use fair, understandable and transparent eligibility criteria
• offer a wide range of reliable local short break provision, tailored to families needs and including overnight breaks, significant breaks during the day, and support for disabled children and young people in accessing activities in universal settings
• provide positive experiences for children by promoting friendships and by encouraging social activities, new experiences and supportive relationships with carers
• provide culturally appropriate provision that meets the racial, cultural, linguistic and religious needs of disabled children and their families
• ensure that provision is available on a planned and regular basis
• provide fit for purpose and age appropriate provision which ensures the following groups are not disadvantaged in accessing short breaks

A: Children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (who have severe learning disabilities or behaviour which is challenging) OR those children and young people whose challenging behaviour is associated with other impairments such as severe learning disabilities.

B: Children and Young People with complex health needs including this with disability and life limiting condition, and/or those who require palliative care and/or those with associated impairments such as cognitive or sensory impairments and/or have moving/handling needs and/or require special equipment/adaptations.

What has been done so far?

Increase in Number of Disabled CYP Accessing Short Breaks

The numbers of children receiving a short break has increased from 350 to 992 by 31/04/11 by the end of the programme.

The largest increase shown is in group based provision and family and individual provision. There was a strategic decision to grow these areas given that “overnights” was the major element of the original provision.

Increase in Volume of Short Breaks by 31/03/11

For increase in hours of short breaks, group based provision was the area of largest increase due to the new commissioned community based services.

Impact on Disabled CYP

Sample from key contracts:

• 73% of children and young person and/or parent/carer who report an increased confidence and self-esteem of the child (Bucks Activity Project – holiday provision and targeted 1:1 service)
• 73 % agree my child has shown an increase in confidence or self esteem (recipients of direct payments)
• 67% agree my child has developed or maintained friendships (recipients of direct payments)
• 83% My child has shown an increase in confidence or self esteem (contract carer scheme)
• 88% positive impact - The development of your independence (All Ability Outdoor Education Programme)
• 100% positive impact - Development of your self awareness and social skills  All Ability Outdoor Education Programme)
• 100% positive impact - Development of personal confidence and self esteem (All Ability Outdoor Education Programme)

Impact on Families of Disabled CYP

Sample from key contracts:

• 81% of parents who report they feel more able to cope (Bucks Activity Project – holiday provision and targeted 1:1 service)
• 73% agree, I (main parent/ carer) feel I am more able to cope with family life (recipients of direct payments)
• 67% agree, I (main parent/ carer) have an improved relationship with my child (recipients of direct payments)
• 67% satisfied our family now feels less isolated (contract carer scheme)
• 67% satisfied I (main parent/ carer) have an improved relationship with my child (contract carer scheme)

What will happen next?

Work will continue throughout this year 2011/12 and onwards to make sure that disabled children and young people find it easier to use universal services. This will continue to be achieved through helping those services to improve their access, their equipment and to improve the skills of their workforce.

Work will continue to maintain/develop the range and volume of short breaks services specifically for children and young people with disabilities.