Social Care/Disabled Children

Short Breaks

Short Breaks are services that provide support for the parents and carers of disabled children.  They allow young people to spend time away from their families making friends, developing new skills and interests, and having fun!

They also give parents and carers the opportunity to catch up with everyday activities* (such as sleep, cleaning, and shopping), maintaining and developing their social networks, and taking care of their own physical and mental wellbeing.

The existing ‘Short Breaks’ offer in Birmingham is currently being recommissioned to improve the health, education and well-being outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families. We are currently in the process of co-producing an updated ‘Short Breaks’ offer that is flexible, equitable and accessible, with a variety of stakeholders, including parents and carers. This will be accompanied by a refresh of the commissioning strategy and commissioning intentions. Together the refreshed ‘Short Breaks’ offer and the accompanying statement will contribute to a more joined up system of support for children with SEND aged 0-18 (up to 25 in certain circumstances). In turn, this will support Birmingham’s vision of being a child-friendly city, and our commitment to supporting children and young people in achieving their full potential.

Short Breaks Statement