1 Short Breaks

What we do:

• Short breaks enables children and young people with additional needs and disabilities to try new experiences both with their siblings and on their own. Activities include sports, youth clubs, buddy schemes, holiday playschemes and one-to-one support.
• Services are delivered by a wide range of providers across the whole of the County. These organisations have experience and are skilled in meeting the needs of children and young people with additional needs and disabilities.
• Eligibility criteria for Short Breaks (1) reside in West Sussex (2) have an additional need and/or disability (3) in receipt of middle or high care components of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independent Payments (PIP).
• Eligible families can access breaks anywhere across West Sussex. Many services operate waiting lists and so you should contact the organisations directly. There is usually a small charge for services but this is dependent on the service being offered.
• Families are expected to make a small contribution towards the cost of the Short Breaks. Families should not fund Short Breaks from their personal budgets but use other income i.e. DLA/PIP.

Our users say:

“I have learnt to let them be more independent – to begin with I’d supervise and organise, now we arrive in the session and we don’t see them. I’ve learnt to let go and be more laid back and relaxed”