Short Breaks Network Spring Conference
May 3rd, Manchester

Ensuring short breaks for all
– meeting the needs of today’s disabled children

A conference for everyone involved in the short break sector, including short break carers, to explore practice-based approaches ensuring that all disabled children are accessing short breaks appropriate for their individual needs and that of their families.

The vast majority of local authorities in England have now published their short break statements, including ‘local offers’ available to all families of disabled children. Early evidence suggests that whilst more children are accessing a wider range of short breaks, there are still gaps in service provision, particularly for children with the most complex needs and those requiring support to access universal services. In addition, Best Practice Guidance in implementing the new short break regulations for local authorities in Wales will be implemented in the autumn.

Contributors to this conference will share with us their ideas, solutions and remaining challenges in meeting the needs of all disabled children throughout the UK. A choice of afternoon workshops will explore approaches to working with today’s disabled children and young people.

Conference outcomes for delegates will include:

- Understanding of current innovative and sustainable practice in short breaks
- Solution focussed approaches to practice
- Knowledge and skill sharing around short breaks
- Training to deliver better support for children on short breaks

The conference takes place at the Premier Inn Manchester Old Trafford, situated close to Manchester United’s Old Trafford football stadium.

Book your place

Online Booking

To book your place online, simply click on the link below and complete the booking form. Payment can be made by credit card or Paypal. Click here to book online 

Download a booking form

If you would like to book your place offline and request payment by invoice, please click on the link below to download a booking form.  Click here to download a booking form (.doc)


Conference programme

09.00-09.30

Registration and refreshments

09.30 - 09.40

Co-chairs welcome – Candy Smith, CEO Short Breaks Network and Karen Wooddissee, Parent and Short Breaks Network Consultant

09.40-10.40

Key note addresses:

'What’s changed for parents accessing short breaks' - Karen Wooddissee, Parent and Short Breaks Network Consultant

'The Government's perspective on short breaks now' - Peter Gibb, Department for Education

''Enabling short breaks for all - The Impact Project' - Jane Harrison, Director of Operations, Impact

10.40-12.20 (includes refreshment break: 11.00-11.20)

A series of case studies from short breaks providers and practitioners demonstrating how they have developed services and practice to reach and include all disabled children and young people, including:

Oldham Children’s Services - Partnership working to reach the need of all disabled children

Wirral Leisure Link - Tailored support to access universal and specialist activities

Play Doctors - Using Play to include children on the autistic spectrum in short break activities

12.20-13.15 Lunch

13.15-15.35 (includes refreshment break: 14.15-14.35)

Your choice of two of the following workshops (subject to availability of places). The workshops will run between 13.15 and 14.15, and 14.35 and 15.35

Workshop 1 - How do we enable disabled children and young people to be involved in choice and decision making?

A practical hands on opportunity to explore and develop skills in involving disabled children and young people (particularly with Severe, Profound and Complex needs) in making choices about their lives. Workshop facilitator: Martin Goodwin

Workshop 2 - What do families expect from Short Breaks Carers?

An opportunity to discuss the topic with two parents, whose children have complex health needs & Autism. What do they look for when choosing Short Breaks and what makes a good break for their children? Workshop facilitators: Karen Wooddissee and Anna Gill

Workshop 3 - Communicating with children who do not use language

This workshop will explore the use of communication passports and intensive interaction to develop a relationship with children who have profound and multiple impairments. Participants will gain an understanding of how to enter the world of children who communicate non-verbally and to see the world from that perspective. The workshop leader will draw on her own experience as both a trainer and parent. Workshop facilitator: Jeanne Carlin

Workshop 4 - A look at Positive Interventions
 
This workshop will enable participants to develop an understanding of how to positively intervene and manage challenging behaviour effectively and how the carer’s/worker’s actions and reactions impact on behaviour. Workshop facilitator: Ivan Sharpe

15.35-15.45

Chair’s closing remarks

Book your place

Online Booking

To book your place online, simply click on the link below and complete the booking form. Payment can be made by credit card or Paypal. Click here to book online 

Download a booking form

If you would like to book your place offline and request payment by invoice, please click on the link below to download a booking form.  Click here to download a booking form (.doc)

Delegate feedback from our last conference:

"Short Breaks Network continues to be the only forum where we can meet with colleagues/peers from other parts of the country and have the opportunity to share ideas etc."

"Excellent conference, thank you. Janet Leach is, as always, inspirational. "

"Really enjoyed the presentations and table discussion. Good networking opportunities. "

"I thought the format of discussions based around the tables with a facilitator was excellent and very helpful.  You kept me alert and fully engaged. "