Short breaks are activities and support that give disabled children and young people a chance to have fun away from their main carers.
They are for children aged 2 to 18 and can take place during the day, overnight, at weekends, or in school holidays. Short breaks can happen at home or in the community.
Short Breaks are part of a graduated response. A graduated response is a structured, step-by-step approach to identifying and meeting children’s needs.
They aim to:
• give children and young people opportunities to take part in activities, enjoy themselves, and build friendships and independence
• give parents and carers time to rest or focus on other things, helping reduce stress and support family wellbeing
• give siblings time where parents can focus on them
In Barnsley, your child does not need a formal diagnosis to access support, as it is based on their needs. However, in order to access an assessment for a short break, there is an eligibility criteria in place.
Find out more
Click here to read the Parent Carer Guide to Short Breaks