Adults who care for children and young people with special educational needs and disability are being asked for their views on the short breaks offered in Bath and North East Somerset.
Parent carers, providers of short break provision and professionals delivering specialist services can have their say in a consultation launched this week by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Short breaks are a way for adults to get a break from their caring responsibilities, offering an opportunity to recharge their batteries and spend time with others. They also allow children to have a change of scene, try different experiences, have fun and make friends.
The breaks can include attending a youth or sports club for a few hours in the evening or weekend, care at home or away from home, overnight or residential breaks.
The council is reviewing the short breaks activities it currently commissions to make sure they meet parents’ and carers’ needs. People are invited to give their views at www.bathnes.gov.uk/shortbreaksconsultation until July 15.
A webinar was held on June 8 for parents, carers and professionals to find out more with a second event due to take place on June 28 from 6pm-7pm. Join the meeting here and use Meeting ID: 984 0468 5023, Password: 6xvHddjBv5.
Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, and Communities, said: “Short break provision is an important part of our family support services and we want to make sure what’s on offer in B&NES is meeting people’s needs. If you are involved in the care of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, we’d like to hear from you to help shape the development of the activities that are available in future.”
Anyone wishing to discuss short breaks directly with the commissioning officer during the consultation period should contact email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 07976752460 to make a telephone appointment.
Paper copies of the survey can be requested by emailing email hidden; JavaScript is required or call 01225 395437.
Children and young people will be consulted separately at a later date.