Respite care and short breaks

Short breaks should benefit both children and their parents/carers. Children with SEND should benefit from the development of new interests, relationships and access to community-based activities; whilst parents/carers can catch up with 'everyday activities' (i.e. sleep, cleaning, shopping), attend to their physical and psychological wellbeing, and maintain and develop social networks. 

The frequency, duration and timing of short breaks can vary considerably; from a child attending a leisure facility for a few hours per week through to a child sleeping at a children's residential setting during weekends to secure a break for parent/carers.
 

We must prevent further spread of Covid-19 and have been working with parent/carers and families since the start of lockdown to understand how we can re-shape our short breaks offer to help you during this time. Already through engagement there have been lots of innovative and great things for families such as virtual coffee mornings, gardening competitions, social groups and this continues to grow.

The revised short break offer at this time is as follows:

Short breaks for families without an assessment

Community short breaks and group activities

Direct delivery of group activities has been suspended. However, providers have engaged with families to develop a range of innovative alternative solutions to support families during this time.

Families are asked to contact providers directly for further information as this is continuously being updated:

• DADLG (county-wide) - email dadlg08@googlemail.com or telephone 07592 366454.
• Integrating Children and Young People (Durham and Chester-le-Street) - email integratingchildren@outlook.com or telephone 07889 575814 
• Sport Works (Derwentside and Sedgefield) - email info@sportworksltd.co.uk or telephone 0191 5800 120

Short breaks to meet assessed needs

1:1 community outreach short break services

These services are being delivered in line with social worker assessments of the individual needs of families working together with providers to agree a risk assessment to ensure safe delivery within the guidelines.

These services will mainly be delivered outdoors in open spaces, however, there may be some families who receive in-reach support to meet their individual needs and to prevent crisis.

Overnight short break care

Overnight short break care is being provided within a limited capacity in line with social worker assessments and risk assessments to those most in need whilst maintaining a safe distance.

Some families are telling us that they feel overwhelmed with information and don't always know what is going on which could be of interest to their family and others are telling us that their family needs a personalised solution suitable to their needs.

In response to this feedback from families we have now created a Short Breaks Solutions telephone line and email. If you feel you are in need of a short break from caring but unsure how to get one whilst within the family home environment, or outdoors within the guidelines - please leave your name and contact number using the Short Break Solutions email or voicemail number.  

• Telephone: 03000 260 270
• Email: shortbreakssolutions@durham.gov.uk

Someone will contact you and we can work together to co-ordinate a creative response for your family.

For you: you can catch up with 'everyday activities' (i.e. cleaning, shopping), attend to your physical and psychological wellbeing, and maintain and develop social networks, enhance your ability to care for your child/ren with SEND and any other children you have, do something together as a family to reduce stress and we can link you with other families to prevent isolation.

Your child/young person: they can benefit from development of new interests, keeping fit, social networks with peers and taking part in hobbies.

The short break offer will be kept under review and updated in line with the guidance and needs of families. Please continue to share your views either by using the contact details above or completing the Carer short breaks survey.

For those families who have a social worker and are in receipt of outreach services or overnight respite. You can continue to link with your social worker in relation to these services where you feel you require more enhanced support than the short break solutions in the home. Your social worker will work with you on understanding the needs of your family during this time.

Durham County Carers Support

Durham County Carers Support can offer support if you care for a child with additional needs in an unpaid capacity. They can help, advise and support you if you are finding your caring role very stressful and are struggling to manage. Help guide you with welfare benefits or provide some ongoing support. Depending on your circumstances they may be able to support you to access a carer break or grant, and issue you with a Carer Friendly Discount Card. Telephone 0300 005 1213, email admin@dccarers.org.

Durham SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Durham Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information Advice and Support Service will be able to provide you and your family with the correct information in relation to what is available for parent/carer support, financial support, emotional wellbeing, support to obtain food for your family, up to date guidance for your children returning to education etc. Telephone 0191 5873541 or 03000 267007.