Short Breaks

LOCAL SEND OFFER (Stockport)

Sometimes families who have children who are disabled and/or have health conditions benefit from a break from their caring responsibilities. Local authorities have duties to provide short break services and make clear how families can access them.

A short break is an opportunity to recharge batteries, spend time with others or pursue a particular interest. A break may also allow your child to have a change of scene, try different experiences, have fun, and make friends. This can contribute to your child’s personal and social development and reduce social isolation. It can also be helpful to get your child used to spending time in different settings and with other people as they grow up, in the event you need to leave them with someone else to look after them for any period in the future.

Many activities are universal which means they are available to all children and you do not need an assessment to access them.

There are some activities that are provided to specifically meet the needs of children with SEND. Some of these can also be accessed directly without an assessment. For example, SEND swimming sessions. Some of these are provided by voluntary, community and other organisations. Some are grant funded by the local authority. You can find more information in the local offer directory.

Some children and young people will need:

additional support to access activities
specialist packages of care and support in the community and/or at home
overnight short breaks due to the complexity of their needs

These types of support require an assessment either by the short breaks team or a social worker. From birth to their 18th birthday, children can access support from children's services.

Find out more about our short breaks offer.

How to access short breaks

You can contact some clubs and activity providers directly but, for others, you may need to contact the short breaks team first.

To find universal and SEND specific clubs and activities in Stockport, visit the SEND local offer directory.

If you need support with short breaks

If your child needs additional support to attend a short break activity, tell us using this form. We'll then contact you within 10 working days to discuss this further.

For overnight short breaks and care and support packages for complex disability needs, a social worker must carry out a child and family assessment. To request an assessment, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub (MASSH).

School can help to support with a Short Breaks referral