What is a short break?
A short break allows a disabled child or young person to have an enjoyable break away from their main carer, and enables their carer to take a break.
It gives children and young people the opportunity to develop new friendships, take part in new experiences, learn new skills, have fun, and become more independent.
A short break could be for a few hours, a day, overnight or a weekend and will be provided in a supportive and safe environment.
Types of short break
We offers short break services to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Universal services
These aim to help children have fun, build confidence and make friends. Providers are expected to make reasonable adjustments so children with SEND can be included.
These services are open to all children and young people in Hillingdon, including those with SEND. Examples include libraries, youth clubs, children’s centres, leisure centres, Scouts, Brownies, after‑school clubs and sports groups.
Many children can take part with or without additional support.
For most families, these services meet their child’s needs without requiring targeted or specialist support. To access them, contact the provider directly to find out what they offer.
Targeted services
These provide short breaks specifically for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They offer structured activities designed to support children who may need more than what universal services provide.
Some services are funded, while others are delivered by voluntary groups or charities. Services not commissioned by the council may have a cost.
To access these activities, contact providers directly to check availability, costs and whether they can meet your child’s needs. Examples include horse riding for disabled children, disability sports clubs and targeted youth groups.
Specialist services
These support disabled children and young people 5 to 17 -year-olds who have the most complex needs and an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. They are designed for families who require a higher level of support than universal or targeted services can provide.
To access Specialist Short Breaks, a child or young person will need a child and family assessment, usually carried out by a Social Worker from the Children with Disabilities Service (CWDS).
CWDS is responsible for assessing children with severe or profound disabilities up to age 18 and arranging support based on their assessed needs.
If you are over 18 and have a diagnosis of autism, support will come through adult services instead.
Eligibility criteria
Children and young people who are residents in Hillingdon are eligible for a short break if they have a physical, learning, sensory or mental impairment, which has a substantial impact on their ability to perform day-to-day activities. This may include a physical or learning disability, a hearing or visual impairment. This also includes children who have complex health needs, including those with palliative care needs, life limiting or life threatening conditions.
Where a child and family assessment concludes that a short break is required, it is likely that the child or young person may be assessed for (or already possess) an Education Health and Care Plan and the short break assessment will form part of that plan.
If you're eligible, you can access support such as:
- overnight stays
- direct payments
- day centre or day break services
These options can be discussed on a case-by-case basis with our stronger families hub team.
Please note: A financial assessment may be required, and you may need to contribute towards the cost of your care.
How to access the short break service
Before applying for support, please ensure you have read our short break services statement 2024-2026, which provides more information about short breaks in Hillingdon.
To apply for Short Break Service support, email strongerfamilieshub@hillingdon.gov.uk or call 01895 556006.