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Short Breaks

Short Breaks is one of the ways we offer support to children and young people with disabilities and their families.

They provide opportunities for children and young people with disabilities to spend time away from their primary carer by taking part in positive activities. It also provides breaks for the parent or carer.

Short Breaks:

  • are personal to individual needs
  • can include day, evening, overnight, weekend or holiday activities
  • can take place in the home, a residential or community setting

Read the Short Breaks statement (PDF)

We have an offer that is available to any disabled child, called Universal Offer. The needs of the majority of children, young people with disabilities, and their families are met within universal services without requiring a social care assessment. Families are encouraged to ask for a social care assessment if there is a change in their circumstances or if more than one service is required.

Targeted provision

If the needs of the child cannot be met within the Universal Offer, then Family Hubs offer support and services called Targeted provision in the form of play sessions, and group activities for disabled children.

Specialist Short Breaks offer

There is also a specialist Short Breaks offer that is allocated to children, young people and their families with disabilities whose needs cannot be met by universal or targeted offer as they require a higher level of support.

Who is eligible for specialist short breaks ?

To check if a child or young person is eligible for an assessment of Short Breaks, we use the Functional Needs Assessment (FNA).

Children and young people will be eligible for an assessment of their need for Short Breaks if their needs score either 2 moderate, 1 severe or profound needs as identified by a health professional will be eligible for an assessment of their need for short breaks.

If you have any questions about eligibility, you can contact the Duty Social Worker by calling 0207 974 3597.

Useful information

View the FNA scoring system.

Play Provision

Play Provision in Camden is run by community and voluntary organisations to provide after-school clubs and holiday play schemes for children and young people aged 4 to 12 years.

Many Play Centres are linked to Camden Schools for after school club pick-up After-school clubs and holiday playschemes.

Camden’s community play providers have many years’ experience of working with children with disabilities and are committed to providing a high quality inclusive service to all children. Staff have regular access to training to meet children’s individual needs and are committed to ensuring children are fully supported to get involved and have fun in a safe and secure environment.

What do play centre activities include?

Play Centre activities include:

  • arts
  • crafts
  • sports
  • games
  • music
  • outdoor fun
  • messy play

Opportunities for children to be with their friends, and make new ones.

How can I find out more?

Please contact your child’s social worker or the short breaks co-ordinator to check your child’s eligibility for a supported place if this is required.

If you choose Play Centre as your child’s Short Breaks option you will be offered visit/s to identify a suitable provider with availability.

Play providers can also be contacted directly if you wish to access a self-funded space or to arrange a centre visit.

Support for siblings

The Short Breaks assessment takes into account the impact of the disability and needs of family members including siblings.

There is, however, a lot of support available for families and for siblings of disabled children:

  • KIDS: Support and fun activities for siblings of disabled children
  • Kidstime: A workshop for children and parents affected by parental mental illness
  • Sibs: This national charity gives general advice and support for siblings of disabled children

Contact us

For more information about the range of Short Break services that are available in Camden:

Organisations that offer Short Breaks

  • Action for Children Short Breaks: Short breaks for children aged 5 to 12 years, with ASD and other special needs and disabilities in Camden
  • Centre 404: After school and evening activities for children, young people and adults with a learning disability
  • PACE Overnight Adventures: Overnight short breaks for children with disabilities and their siblings aged 8 to 14 years held at a secure and fully accessible venue, Fortune Green Playcentre
  • Wac Arts: WAC provides a range of services to young people, including those with disabilities
  • Wac Arts Residential Activities: WAC provides overnight weekends and holiday residencies