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Children’s Short Breaks

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Short breaks is the new name for what is usually known as respite and play provision.  It relates to all types of services put in place to give disabled children and adults a chance to take part in activities and have time away from home. This can take the form of the following:

  • home based support- carers/nurses coming into the home to look after your child
  • Day care away from home- this can include nurseries, playgroups, after school/ weekend play provision, holiday provision
  • Overnight short breaks- this can include overnight carers or nurses
  • Residential breaks- including residential homes and specialist units in hospitals.

Being a parent carer can be both emotionally and physically challenging. Ensuring you receive the support needed and are given a break from your caring role is important for you, your family and your child. Short breaks not only ensure that you and other family members have some time away from your caring role but also may provide your child with the opportunity to take part in new experiences and make friends.

The Core Offer

Some short breaks can be accessed via RBKC’s Core offer without the need of an assessment by social services. The “Core Offer” is provided by St Quintin Centre and can be accessed on proof of disability. For children with higher needs, more comprehensive packages of care will need to be established. These are known as “Additional Needs” and “Complex Needs” Packages and require a Needs Assessment to be completed.

For more information on the core offer visit: Click here for Core Offer

Short Break Services in RBKC

Most Short Breaks Services for Children with a higher level of needs are accessed via an assessment, where your child’s level of need is looked at and a plan is established based on the types of services and level of support which is deemed most suitable.

There are several services which provide different short break options for children in RBKC. Depending on your child’s needs they may be offered services in a mainstream setting (alongside children without SEN) or a more specialist provision.

Services Include:

St Quintins Centre (0-18) (Specialist)

The St Quintins Centre offers a range of services that support disabled children, young people and their families.

St Quintins Centre (0-18 years) 

The St Quintins Centre offers a range of services that support disabled children, young people and their families. It is open seven days a week and offers term time support from 0 to five and Afterschool, Saturday and Holiday club support for 5 – 18 year-olds.

For further information contact: 020 8968 2570 / stquintincwd@rbkc.gov.uk

Chelsea Adventure Playground (Specialist)

KIDS’ Adventure Playgrounds provide an opportunity for stimulating and inclusive play on a closed access site. Priority is given to children and young people with specific requirements and their siblings.

KIDS Chelsea Adventure Playground

Kid'sAdventure Playgrounds provide an opportunity for stimulating and inclusive play on a closed access site. Priority is given to children and young people with specific requirements and their siblings. However, young people within the right age range who live in the surrounding communities are also welcome.

Our Playgrounds vary in size however they all have a wide range of equipment including soft play, zip wires, sensory rooms, nest swings, climbing frames, tree houses, bikes and trailers. They are all securely fenced, providing a safe environment where children can explore freely.

Download Chelsea Adventure Playground Leaflet here.

Contact Sarah on 020 7352 6959 or email sarah.oram@kids.org.uk

Play Association (8-17 years) (Specialist)

This play scheme is a fully inclusive adventure service.

Play Association (8-17 years)

This play scheme is a fully inclusive adventure service. It provides a place where disabled children and children with complex needs can play adventurously, creatively and safely. The age range is 8 – 17years.

For further information contact: 020 77 363699 / info@playassociationhf.org.uk

Full of Life’s Services for Young People with Complex Needs (Specialist)

Full of Life’s centre for young people with complex needs, operates 6 days a week with a focus on communication and personal development.

At Full of Life’s centre for Young People with Complex Needs, Young people are encouraged to make choices and develop skills through a range of activities and shared experiences with one to one support.

The Day service operates Monday- Friday and focuses on communication, learning and personal development. The service is person centred, with each young person’s timetable of activities and programmes being built on their wants and needs. Their communication, life skills and behaviour is supported and developed, with individual targets being set and monitored.

The young people take part in a variety of group and 1:1 activities and programmes both onsite and in the local community. These include: Cooking, Drama, Arts and Craft, Zumba, Yoga, Music therapy, Music sessions, Film, Sports, Cycling, gym sessions, individualised life skill building. In addition to this the service also helps young people access other services that promote their overall health and wellbeing including hydrotherapy, dental services and hospital appointments.

The service also supports young people to participate in accredited ASDAN courses alongside their individual timetable of activities and looks for work experience and volunteering opportunities based on an individual’s person centred planning.

The Saturday and Holiday provisions continue this support with group based activities and trips.

For more information on the services aims click here or contact the service manager Gill Fashola on 0208 969 9993 / gill@fulloflifekc.com

The Haven (9-18) (Overnight)

The Haven’s service is for children from nine to 18 years old who have complex learning and physical disabilities.

The Haven (9 – 18 years) 

The Haven’s service is for children from nine to 18 years old who have complex learning and physical disabilities. It is particularly aimed at children with higher level needs, disrupted sleep patterns; children who share sleeping space with parents or siblings; children whose families experience accommodation problems; and children who need a social experience which is difficult to gain through other services.

For more information on the Short Breaks options please see RBKC’s Local Offer

Click Here For Further Information

Epic CIC Youth Service (8-19/25) (Mainstream)

Epic CIC delivers a comprehensive range of youth support services to children and young people up to the age of 19, or 25 for young people with a lifelong learning difficulty and/or disability.

EPIC CIC Youth Service (8-19/25)

Epic CIC delivers a comprehensive range of youth support services to children and young people up to the age of 19, or 25 for young people with a lifelong learning difficulty and/or disability. Their services are provided under four main categories: Epic Youth, Epic Ambition, Epic Sport and Epic Health.

For more information call 0207 938 8033 or visit their website

www.epiccic.org.uk

Fit for Sport (Mainstream)

Provides school based play centres, breakfast clubs, holiday play centres

Provides school based play centres, breakfast clubs, holiday play centres.

For further information Click here