Short breaks

Also called Respite, Short break services

Time away for a disabled child, and a break for the family. A duty on councils, and widely under-used.

What it is

Short breaks give disabled children time doing enjoyable activities away from their parents, and give parent carers a break. They range from a few hours at a club to overnight stays.

Local authorities have a duty under the Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 to provide a range of short breaks and to publish a short breaks statement.

Where it applies

Families with a disabled child. Some services are open access; others follow a social care assessment as a child in need.

How it works

The council must publish what is available, the eligibility criteria, and how it has been designed to meet local need.

Provision is often oversubscribed and rarely advertised well.

What you can ask for

Ask for the short breaks statement by name. Every council must publish one and many families have never seen it.

Ask for a social care assessment if open-access provision is not enough. Direct payments can sometimes fund a personal assistant instead.

Ask about the parent carer's needs assessment alongside it.

Where to get help

The council's Local Offer and children's disability team. Contact and Cerebra both publish free guides on getting social care support for disabled children.