CS1731 Short break, Clubs and Activities Scheme

Introduction :

The Childrens act 1989, The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 and The Childrens and Families act 2014, state the duty for local authorities to provide a range of short breaks for disabled children, young people and their families.

Additionally, the SEND code of practice 0- 25 years (January 2015) provides statutory guidance on organizations such as the local authority on the delivery of a short breaks offer.

Purpose:

The overarching purpose of the service is to provide Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) with opportunities to take part in social and educational and leisure activities outside their home.

These opportunities will be independent of the parents and carers of the CYP with SEND which will also provide them with a break.

The activities on offer will be led by service users with the provider encouraging ambition and encouraging positive risk taking.

They will be culturally appropriate and meet the racial, cultural, linguistic, gender, sexual orientation and religious needs of the CYP.

They will provide opportunities for new experiences, promote friendships and supportive relationships.

The activities will promote inclusion and promote skills to enable CYP with SEND to participate more fully in the community.

Local context.

Wiltshire (excluding Swindon) has over 15,000 CYP identified and as having SEN support and have been issued with a SEN plan. Of this number there are over 3500 CYP that have been with issued with an EHCP.

Wiltshire is a large and rural county and services need to offer provision to a large geographical area. Transport links continue to develop and improve but travelling around Wiltshire continues to pose a challenge to the community.