Short Breaks
A Short Break allows a disabled child or young person to have an enjoyable break away from their main carer and enables their carer to take a break.
Short Breaks give children and young people the opportunity to develop new friendships, take part in new experiences, learn new skills, have fun, and become more independent.
A Short Break could be for a few hours, a day, overnight or a weekend and will be provided in a supportive and safe environment. Read our Short Breaks statement to find out more.
Different types of Short Break
We have a core offer and an enhanced offer for those who need specialist care. The following are 2 different types of Short Breaks.
Universal services
Our Universal Services are available to every disabled child and most children’s needs are met within these services. Universal services include our children’s centres, Family Hubs, sports and leisure activities and our play offer.
Specialist Short Breaks service
Our specialist Short Breaks services are allocated to children, young people and their families who need additional and specialist care. Specialist Short Breaks are for children and young people with severe, profound, or complex needs.
How to access Short Breaks
To access Short Breaks, complete our Short Breaks Self-Assessment Referral Tool, also known as a ‘SART’ and email it to SARTCYPDS@camden.gov.uk.
You will need to provide details of the health professionals who support the child or young person, as we will need to discuss this application with them. We will also access the child’s EHC plan to ensure we can provide the right level of support during their short break. We will review your request and let you know the outcome.
To get an enhanced Short Breaks offer, a child and family assessment will be done by a CYPDS Social Care officer.
Before applying for support, ensure you read our Short Breaks statement.
When a Short Breaks place becomes available, the individual service provider will explain further details and complete a provisional risk assessment. This should take place within 35 working days of receiving your referral. If there are any delays or issues, contact us at SARTCYPDS@camden.gov.uk.
How we make decisions about Short Breaks
To agree the packages of support for an enhanced Shorts Break offer, individual cases are presented to a Short Breaks panel. The process is:
- A social worker or Short Breaks practitioner will meet with you and your family to do an assessment and write up a plan of suggested Short Breaks.
- They'll present their plan to the panel to get their agreement.
- You and your family are invited to the panel to give your opinions.
- The panel make a decision.
All enhanced Short Breaks plans are regularly reviewed, depending on the level of needs, and changing circumstances of your family.
Appealing a decision we've made
If you disagree with a decision we've made about your Short Breaks request, you can appeal it. Here's how you can do this.
Discuss your concerns
Speak to the social worker or Short Breaks practitioner who completed the plan about your concerns. You can also ask to speak to their manager
Make an official appeal
If you still disagree, you make an official appeal to the panel in writing to the social worker or practitioner. You must do this within 14 days of receiving the decision letter, which will include more details about how to appeal
Your appeal will be discussed by the next available panel, which will have at least one different member from the panel which made the original decision. You and your family will be invited to attend too.
Make a complaint
If you still disagree, you can make a complaint in the first instance by email to the duty officer. Then you should follow the council's complaints process.
Short Breaks drop-in sessions
If you have any questions about Short Breaks or need support, come along to one of our drop-in information sessions.
Other Short Breaks opportunities in Camden
- Action for Children Short Breaks: Short breaks for children aged 5 to 12 years, with ASD and other special needs and disabilities in Camden
- Centre 404: After school and evening activities for children, young people and adults with a learning disability
- PACE Overnight Adventures: Overnight short breaks for children with disabilities and their siblings aged 8 to 14 years held at a secure and fully accessible venue, Fortune Green Playcentre
- Wac Arts: WAC provides a range of services to young people, including those with disabilities