Short Breaks

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A chance for children and young people to take part in activities and gives parents/carers a break. It must benefit the whole family, not just the child/young person.

Families can apply if the child or young person has a diagnosed disability.

If your child has an ADHD diagnosis on its' own they will not be eligible for a Short Break.

Short Breaks can:

• Allow you time to recharge your batteries
  
• Give you a break from your caring responsibilities
  
• Allow you to spend time with other siblings
  
• Gives you time to get jobs done

Short Breaks CANNOT be used to replace childcare that lets parents work.

Depending on your child’s age, here are some of the choices for you:

• Age 0 -5 Day-care with a day nursery or childminders
  
• Age 5+ After school and holiday clubs
  
• Ages 8 – 25 : Outdoor Activities (Silverwood) or The Ozone (Positive Activities)
  
• Ages 8 to 18 : Reds in the Community Disability Multi Sports for ages
  

You may also be able to apply for:

• Overnight stays at Newsome Avenue for ages 5 to 18
  
• Direct Payments for ages 0-18
• Personal budgets

What's a personal budget? A personal budget is an amount of money paid directly to you that lets you choose and buy the services you need yourself, instead of the short-breaks offered in Barnsley.

To find out more about overnight stays, direct payments and personal budgets please contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01226 772423 and request an assessment.

Apply in one of the following ways: 

• Self serve: Apply by filling out an application form  then email the completed application to: shortbreaksECS@barnsley.gov.uk
• Talk to a professional you are already working with (such as health visitor, paediatrician or family support worker) and ask them to complete a short breaks application on your behalf.
• Assisted application: Call and see a member of the Disabled Children’s Team (DCT) at the Monthly Local Offer Drop-in sessions @ The Ozone (Barnsley Football Club)

Upcoming sessions are:

Once you have submitted your completed application to shortbreaksecs@barnsley.gov.uk it will be processed and considered at the next monthly panel meeting.

• Agreed – a suitable activity will be offered
  
• Deferred – to request more info
  
• Declined – because the child/family do not meet the criteria for a short break
  

• What parent carers, children and young people say about their short-breaks
• Who sits on the panel and how short-breaks are allocated 
• How short-break providers are approved 
• More in-depth information about the current providers
• What work the Local Authority is doing to make the short break offer even better

To read the current short-break statement in full click here