different types of short breaks

Once Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) has agreed that your child is eligible for short breaks support, they must provide (as far as is reasonably practicable) a choice of short break services that help to meet the care needs of the family. This must include: daycare at home or elsewhere; overnight care at home and elsewhere; educational or leisure activities for children outside their own homes; services in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays.

In Cambridgeshire, the following types of short breaks are available:

1. Group short breaks

These are mainstream (non-specialist) or specialist leisure and educational opportunities like sports groups, after-school clubs, and holiday schemes.

CCC’s Inclusion project provides support to help children and young people access mainstream activities. 

There are also accessible community facilities such as Grafham Water, leisure centres, theatres and playgrounds for families with disabled children. 

Read more about specialist short break  providers in Cambridgeshire.

2. Individual short breaks

Individual short breaks could include daytime support, care at home, complex health and palliative care support, befriending schemes, and community childminders.

3. Overnight short breaks

For families who need a significant break from their caring responsibilities, overnight short breaks may be available. These breaks are usually for young people aged 10 and over, and can be provided either at home, with a short break foster carer or in a specialist residential setting.

4. Organising your own short breaks – Direct Payments

If you would like more control and flexibility over arranging a short break you can ask to have a Direct Payment. A Direct Payment is a sum of money paid to you by CCC’s Children and Young People’s Services on behalf of your disabled child.

For more information on Direct Payments click here or phone Anita Hewson on 01223 703589.