Children and Young People Short Breaks

Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council are seeking to commission a Foster Care Overnight Short Breaks service for children and young people (CYP) with disabilities and complex health needs across the county. The Children Act 2004 and the Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Short Breaks Regulations 2011 require Local Authorities to provide services designed to give breaks for carers of children with disabilities. The Short Breaks offer aims to support the needs and aspirations of children and young people with disabilities, as well as support parent, carer and family wellbeing.

Short Breaks provide an opportunity for CYP with disabilities to: spend time away from their carers; try out new things; have fun and make new friends; helps to support a child or young person's social and emotional development; as well as providing them with new experiences and an opportunity to learn new skills. It is important that the short break gives the young person the opportunity to develop their independence in preparation for adulthood. Short Break services span a range of activities, care and support options that a CYP with disabilities may need.

A Short Break can last from a few hours to a few days, an evening, a weekend, and school holiday daytime activities, depending on assessed need. There is insufficient, local overnight Short Breaks across both Telford and Wrekin borough and Shropshire Local Authority areas. Therefore both Councils are seeking to jointly commission a Foster Care Short Breaks service for CYP with disabilities and complex health needs in the county.

This aligns to both Council's ambition to offer regulated, local and high quality overnight respite, within a homely environment.