The importance of short breaks services for children with disabilities
Short breaks services provide young people with disabilities the fun and enriching experiences that every child deserves. They’re a vital lifeline for the wellbeing of entire families.
A short breaks service offers young people and children with learning disabilities and complex health needs a range of opportunities to make friends, try new things and have fun. They also provide families of a disabled child or young person a break from their caring responsibilities. This is sometimes referred to as ‘respite care’.
Young people can be referred to a short breaks service by their social worker. The type of support they receive will depend on a young person’s unique needs, such as a physical disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or other special educational needs.
It could involve after-school tea visits at home, weekend day care, or overnight residential stays at a dedicated centre.
We want all children to be heard. And with your support, they could be
Short breaks offer young people exciting new experiences. Whether it’s meeting new people, seeing the latest blockbuster, or exploring their hobby or passions, they offer young people with disabilities the experiences many children take for granted.
I like meeting my friends here and the different things we do - we've gone bowling, had a meal out, a craft night, games activities and talent shows.
Drew, a young person who attends our Northants Shorts Breaks Service
For young people with disabilities, short breaks offer the perfect place to develop or work on a skill. Our support workers encourage young people to set ambitious goals for themselves and work with them to make those goals a reality.
This could include a young person wanting to learn self-care skills such as how to make themselves a cup of tea or brush their teeth. Or they might want to work on something they find overwhelming or challenging in daily life.
We had a young man who was on the autistic spectrum who found it too stressful to get his hair cut. We started with walking past a hair salon. Once he was okay with that, we'd stop to look in the window, then sit inside. Over the months we built it up until he was totally comfortable. Since then, getting a haircut has been something he’s able to handle.
Service manager at our Short Breaks @ West Hyde service
This support and encouragement helps young people build their resilience and confidence. They develop a greater sense of what independence looks like to them. In one review of local short breaks services, young people said it has enabled them to go out and do more with friends in the local area, which makes them happier.
Looking after a young person with additional or complex needs can be uniquely stressful and challenging – and can sometimes contribute to family breakdown. This makes short breaks valuable not only to the young person, but the entire family.
While young people are enjoying their short break, parents and carers can rest, recharge, and spend time with their other children.
A young person’s time with us gives their other family members a break from their caring responsibilities. It gives them a chance to have some down time and go out. That could be anything from going shopping, spending some one-on-one time with their other children or just sitting on the couch!
Service manager at our Short Breaks @ West Hyde service
In this way, short breaks are vital in helping carers and families too. By giving them time to relax, they can continue caring effectively for their child. They provide support that helps the whole family to be happier and healthier.
Short breaks are a vital lifeline for disabled children and their families. Across the UK, we’ve 65 services for disabled children and young people. These range from children’s homes for disabled children to residential short breaks and community short breaks.
Last year, over 10,137 children and young people enjoyed one of our Short Breaks services.
Every child deserves to get the support they need to have a safe and happy childhood. And we’re committed to being there for children with disabilities and their families, no matter what. With your help, we will be.
Last year, we helped 765,905 families, children, and young people. With your help, we could reach more.
Keep up to date with Action for Children!
Sign up to our newsletter