What are short breaks
Short breaks (previously known as respite care) provide:
- inclusive group or individual activities for disabled children and young people, where they can have fun, relax, and/or pursue an interest
- the opportunity for families to 'take a break’ from their caring responsibilities, to rest, and/or to spend time with their other children
We recognise that each child and family is unique and will have different levels of support from their wider family and friendship network. Some families may need more support because of their family circumstances - this may be for a short period of time, or it may be longer-term.
The Leicestershire's Local Offer can be accessed to find suitable activities for your child - you may wish to consider these before going through an assessment for a short break.
Other support services and useful contacts
SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
SENDIASS provides free, confidential, and impartial advice and support to parents/carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years with SEND, as well as to young people themselves.
Leicestershire SEND Hub
Leicestershire SEND Hub is representing the views of SEND parents/carers to improve services accessed by children, young people, and their families.
Local Authority contacts
Health contacts
- NHS Direct - call 111
- Leicester Royal Infirmary - call 0300 303 1573
Short breaks statement
Each local authority is required to publish a short breaks statement which has to be reviewed on an annual basis. The short breaks statement sets out the services that are available to parents/carers of children and young people with SEND, along with the eligibility criteria for accessing a short break.