Overnight Short Breaks for children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years

The SEND Code of Practice (2015) defines children or young people as having SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability which affects their learning compared with others of the same age and requires special educational provision. The Council has a duty to provide short breaks provision for Children and Young People with a disability and their families, as part of the Children and Young Person’s Act (2008) as every local authority “...shall provide services designed to assist individuals who provide care for such children (disabled) to continue to do so, or to do so more effectively, by giving them a break from caring”. Short breaks are integral to a comprehensive approach to supporting disabled children to develop as participating and contributing individuals, included in their communities, with personal social networks.

The overnight short breaks service will provide services during term time and school holidays and will be available for 360 days per year. It is accepted that there will be closures or a reduced service for major national holidays, when children will be with their Parents/Carers (e.g. 5 days during the Christmas and New Year holidays).

During term time (approximately 39 weeks per year)

Weekdays:

Overnight stays from afternoon drop off after school to morning pick up for school. As a minimum this will be 16 hours in duration.

Weekends/bank holidays:

Provision of day-care and overnight short break stays with earlier drop off and later pick up times.

During school holidays (approximately 13 weeks per year)

Weekends/Weekdays:

Day care/holiday club provision and overnight stays with earlier drop off and later pick up times. As a minimum this will be 19 hours in duration.

It is expected that the allocation for children and young people will change as their needs or circumstances and desired outcomes change. Social Care Plans will be reviewed by the DCYPT every six months and more frequently where required. The Provider will work with the DCYPT and Parent/Carer to ensure an appropriate level of support is available in line with these changing needs.

The Provider will deliver a flexible and fair plan for overnight short break care following an assessment of need, taking the preferences of the child or young person and their Parents/carers into account. It will provide and manage an overnight short breaks unit for the delivery of this Service, ensuring all staff are appropriately qualified, trained and supervised to promote the safeguarding and well-being of the children and young people accessing the Service. All aspects of the Service must be appropriately registered and meet the requirements of relevant legislation.