Short breaks enable disabled children and young people to do many of the activities non disabled children take for granted. They help them have fun, try new activities, gain independence and make friends. Short breaks are one of the services most commonly requested by parents of disabled children.

There are lots of different kinds of short break services and they can be provided by short break carers, volunteers and paid workers. Short breaks can be day, evening, overnight or weekend activities and can take place in the child's home, the home of an approved carer, a residential or community setting. Short breaks can also include sitting care, with an element of childminding; befriending by another young person or adult who can help the disabled child or young person access community activities; community and leisure activities such as organised group activities - play schemes, Saturday clubs, or after-school clubs.

Short breaks can be for just a few hours to a few days, occasionally longer. This depends on the types of short breaks and the needs of the child and their family.

Watch our Films about Becoming a Short Break Carer
Watch our short film become a short break carer to find out about short break carers and how you can become one. To see more films on the different types of short break carers, and find out what they do and why they do it visit our YouTube channel: sharedcarenetwork (Opens in a new window.)

These films are available on I Could Do That DVD and the Be the BIG Difference DVD. You can order yours here Recruitment Resources

You can also read about different short break carer roles by visting CWDC (Children's Workforce Development Council's) website

Getting involved
If you would like to find out more about becoming a short break carer go to Become a short break carer or read more short break carers' stories here


Links

Find out more about the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.

Find out about the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign here.

If you are interested in supporting adults with disabilities visit the Doh website

If you are a parent of a disabled child you may want to visit Contact a Family for advice on getting short breaks.