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Short breaks for disabled children
Short breaks give children with disabilities experiences that help their personal and social development. They also give parents, carers and families a break from caring. They used to be called ‘respite care’.
Who can get a short break
You may be entitled to a short break if your child is:
- disabled
- up to 18 years old
- living in Leicestershire, and
- our assessment identifies that without the support your child would not be able to access the same opportunities as most other children of his or her age
We use the definition of disability in the Children Act 1989. A child is disabled if they are:
- blind, deaf or mute
- suffer from a mental condition – for example autism
- severely disabled by illness, injury or a condition they’ve had from birth
An assessment will be carried out by either Early Help or a social work team looking at the over all needs of the family. Short breaks may or may not be recommended following this assessment.
Types of short break
Short breaks include:
- daytime and overnight care in your home and elsewhere
- evening and weekend care
- school holiday care and play schemes