Improving Services for Disabled Children & Young People

There is nothing that cannot be done if we raise our voice as one!
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WHAT ARE SHORT BREAKS?
Short breaks provide opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to spend time away from their primary carers, and can include day, evening, overnight, weekend or holiday activities that take place in the child or young person’s own home, the home of an approved carer, a residential or community setting. 
 
 
 
 
Short breaks range from supporting children and young people with disabilities to access universal services (for example at leisures centres) through to providing specialist services at a local and regional level.
 
 
 
 

Provision of short breaks should be based on an assessment of the whole family addressing both their personal and social needs.  

 

 Click here to find out

What is Wiltshire Council and NHS doing to improve Short Break Services?

 

Wiltshire Council and NHS are involving parents, carers, children and young people in the transformation process through participation.  This began early in November 2008  when parents and carers were invited to attend a meeting at the Corn Exchange in Devizes.  Click Here for a Summary of that meeting.

 

Parents and carers took part in discussions on several focus groups, including shorts breaks and transition to adulthood.   During the session, parents and carers were able to say how they felt about  the  service, what they considered was working well and what was not, and were able to make suggestions for improvement. This was extremely useful as it also helped to identify gaps in the service, where needs were not being met.

 

Since then, many consultations have taken place,

seeking views from parents and carers

about different aspects of services.

 

Go to our Consultation Reports

by clicking here

 

What does the Government say about short breaks?
 

The Government is seeking a transformation in short break provision for disabled children. Although evidence on the importance of short breaks is clear; services are struggling to meet the requirements of disabled children and their parent carers – many of whom are reliant on them for breaks from constant caring responsibilities. Most worryingly, children who have the greatest need for breaks often seem unable to access provision because of the challenges posed by their disability.

 

The Government says 'more quality breaks are needed.

Too many families are unable to gain the breaks they need.

But disabled children and their parent carers also want

breaks at times which suit their often complex lives,

and want options as to how and where care can be delivered'.

 

The Government has responded to the evidence on short breaks through

 Aiming High for Disabled Children