Short Breaks for Children and Young People who have Special Educational Needs and or Disabilities (SEND)
Short Breaks are available for children and young people who have SEND and are intended to have positive benefits for them and their parent carers. An overview of Redcar and Cleveland’s Short Breaks Offer is outlined below.
Short Breaks Staircase of Need:
Families may access one level, a combination of levels or move between the different levels (level 3 is dependent on assessed need).
Level 1 - Universal Services (All ages)
Some families are able to get a Short Break by using free or low cost local services which are not funded or commissioned by the Local Authority. Examples of these are; youth clubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, sport clubs and charity funded clubs. Organisations have a duty to make reasonable adjustments and must not treat a disabled person less favourably. Some universal services offer sessions specifically for children and young people with additional needs, however, not all universal services will be suitable for everyone.
Level 2 - Self-Referral Short Breaks (5 years up to 18 years, may extend to 25 years if there is an assessed need)
Self-referral Short Breaks Clubs take place after school, on weekends and during school holidays and are specifically for children who have SEND. These clubs are commissioned and funded by the Local Authority. The clubs take place in and around Redcar and Cleveland, providing children and young people with an opportunity to meet new people and try a wide range of activities such as sports, arts and crafts, cooking, music and much more.
Families can refer themselves to this service without the need for a referral or a diagnosis but children/young people must have SEND.
In addition to the Clubs, families can also access the following additional self-referral Short Break Support; Stay and Play Holiday Sessions, Max Cards and the SEND Family Mailing List.
Level 3 - Specialist Short Breaks (0- 18 years, may extend to 25 years if there is an assessed need)
Sometimes a child or young person may have more significant or complex needs due to their disability and/or family circumstances and will need more specialist support. Support may include one or more specialist services such as a personal assistant, overnight care in or away from the home, care in the home or in the community.
The level of support needed will be identified by a Social Worker Assessment and a request for services will need to be considered by a multi-agency panel. These services will be commissioned specifically for the child’s/young person’s needs or alternatively a family may prefer to request a Direct Payment to arrange the services themselves.
For more information please email Shortbreaks@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or call 01642 771247