Short breaks service statement
Types of short break
Every year about 640 disabled children and young people in our area use targeted and specialist short breaks.
In addition over 350 disabled children use services offered by universal providers, whose provision is for all children and young people.
Each family is unique, their needs vary and can change. We offer a wide range of short breaks for disabled children and young people. Not all of these have financial assistance from the council or Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).
Short breaks are offered by voluntary, independent and statutory providers. These can meet the different needs of disabled children, young people and their families.
The table below gives an overview of the types of short break services we have developed in Buckinghamshire.
Types of short break services
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
Community-based groups and activities |
Universal, all ages. These are outside of school hours and at weekends, for example, Brownies, martial arts and after-school activities |
Evening, weekend and school holiday activities |
Targeted, 0 to 19 years. Activities targeted to SEND children and young people including fun opportunities during weekends and school holiday periods, evenings and weekends for young disabled young people to meet, socialise and have fun in a supported environment |
Direct payments and personal budgets |
Specialist (assessed) 0 to 18 years. These can be used in a variety of ways to get the support that meets the needs of disabled children, young people and their families |
Family short breaks |
Specialist (assessed) 0 to 18 years. Breaks which take place in the family home including domiciliary care and carer’s home including childminding and fostering |
Overnight breaks |
Specialist (assessed) 0 to 18 years. Residential short breaks or fostering placements offering overnight short breaks |