Different types of Short Breaks
Universal Services in Coventry
There is a wide range of activities provided by organisations in the community which all children and young people can access such as Scouts, Brownies, sporting clubs and various youth clubs. These clubs may set their own criteria, for example the age of the children that each club/ activity is suitable for.
Children and young people with a disability should be able to access these activities if they want to. The people who run these activities have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to make sure children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and can access them.
To access universal services, parents, carers and young people should contact the provider directly. A list of these activities and organisations can be found on Coventry’s SEND Local Offer. The Local Offer has been designed to provide information and support for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
You may also be able to find support from Coventry's Family Hub service
Coventry City Council Short Breaks Services
The Coventry City Council Short Breaks Service is run by the Children's Disability Team (CDT).
The council runs 3 types of Short Break:
- Community Short Breaks Community Short Breaks provide group activities for children and young people with a disability to relax, have fun, make new friends and develop independence skills. Activities last up to 2 hours during term time and school holidays. Our aim is to ensure that all children accessing the service have the support they need to engage in community based activities. These short breaks are available for children aged 5 - 17 years old who live in Coventry and have a disability. This activities are suitable for children and young people who can be supported in a small group setting and do not require 1:1 or 2:1 support at all times.
- Targeted Short Breaks Short Breaks allow children and young people with a disability to take part in activities, make friends, develop independence and have fun, which also provides parents/carers a break from caring responsibilities. Targeted short breaks are for children and young people who, based on an assessment of their needs, require additional support to access activities (1:1 or 2:1 support). Support is available through the provision of a support worker. In these circumstances, the relevant professional involved with the family (e.g. a social worker, early help worker or school representative) will complete an assessment to consider the child and family’s needs and what package of support would meet these needs.
Targeted Short Breaks packages are approved at the Short Breaks Panel. The Panel meets monthly and is chaired by the Operational Lead for the Children's Disability Team.
3. Specialist Short Breaks (Overnight) Specialist Short Breaks gives families a break from caring responsibilities while the child or young person is looked after in a residential setting overnight, the number of nights can vary based on the child or young persons needs
4. We also operate a Direct Payment Scheme for Targeted Short Breaks.
A direct payment is the sum of money that Coventry City Council will pay directly to you, so you can pay for your child's assessed care and/or support, instead of the Council arranging it for you.
The money that you are given is to be used for the following reasons only:
- To pay an agency or PA for the support they provide (type of support will be agreed at short breaks panel)
- To only pay for the hours of support agreed at short breaks panel
- To pay for a DBS for the PA before the support starts and is required to be updated every 3 years (a new DBS is required even if they have one with another employer)
- To pay for employee liability and HMRC tax/NI costs (this can be supported by using Penderel's payroll)
What if a child does not have a professional involved with the family?
If a child or young person does not have a professional worker, the school or a family hub can complete an early help assessment and attend the Short Breaks Panel. A parent/carer can also refer their child or young person via the MASH for an assessment to consider support needs