Support for children aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Short Breaks Team - BCP Council

Short Breaks Team - BCP Council logo

Face to face Short Breaks activities have started again. For further information or queries about Short Breaks please contact shortbreaks@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. You can also ask to join our BCP Council Short Breaks Facebook group as updated information is also given there. 

The BCP Council Short Breaks positive activity programme provides activities for children and young people aged 0 to 19 years with special educational needs/disabilities, in a supportive and fun environment.  

All sessions are supported by a high ratio of experienced and friendly staff who ensure children and young people are happy and safe, and able to enjoy an inclusive positive activity.  Children and young people are able to try out new things and make new friends.  

Short Breaks are particularly for those children who struggle to access mainstream activities without support. There are different activities to choose from such as arts and crafts, activity days (on the beach in the summer!), swimming, archery, gym, trampolining and watersports, so there is something for everyone! If you attend Short Breaks activities, you can also have a say about the sort of activities you would like to do in the future.

There are regular activity sessions such as soft play at Lemur Landings (Tower Park) as well as activities held during the school holidays for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years. These are held at different youth centres and venues depending upon the activity.

Find out more about Short Breaks activities.  

If you are new to Short Breaks, please contact the team to register prior to making any bookings. 

If you are interested in our commissioned services such as please contact

Linwood OSC Club on 01202 636805 or 01202 525107 – Amanda Hook

Coping with Chaos – Claire Rochford on 01202 718238

View all details
Venue/Contact Details
Youth Centres and other venues depending on activity
Area coverage
BCP Area
Directions
See Journey planner on the right hand side of this page, where you can view bus, car and train routes from your location.
Facilities
  • Refreshment / Snacks
  • Hoist / Changing Bench
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Pushchair and Pram Accessible
  • Disabled Car Parking
  • Car Parking
Times and Costs
Opening times:
Please check individual activities and events for dates and times.
Further opening details:
  • Evening
  • Afternoon
  • Morning
  • Weekly
Availability
  • All Year Round
Costs:
Please contact provider for cost information Concessions are available for children and young people with a disability.
Ages, Booking Details and Referral Information
Ages:
From 0 years to 19 years
Eligibility criteria:
Children with SEN and Disabilities
Referral process:
  • Via telephone and email for self referral
Religious and Additional Needs Provision
Additional needs supported:
  • Emotional needs
  • Visual impairment
  • Speech, Language & Communication Needs
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Behaviour, Emotional & Social Difficulty
  • Multi-Sensory Impairment
SEND Local Offer SEND
Description:

Short Breaks Sessional Staff have experience of working with children and young people who have varying levels of need, and have access to resources to assist in supporting children / young people with SEND such as, picture cards, visual timetables and sensory equipment. Our Lead Workers can liaise with schools and social workers, where necessary, to ensure that the transition to school holidays works in the best way possible for the child / young Person. Parents can remain on site when the child or young person first attends, however in time we like to encourage children / young people to attend independently. Short Breaks Sessional Staff also support SENsational Juniors and SENsational Seniors, the weekly youth clubs for young people with SEN and disabilities.

The Short Breaks Positive Activities Programme is available to families who live within the BCP postcode area and we support children / young people with mild to moderate SEND. This includes, ASD, ADHD, Global development delay, Downs syndrome, physical disabilities, sight and hearing loss. Registration to the Short Breaks Positive activity programme is triaged on a need-by-need basis in-line with our eligibility criteria. Those children / young People with more complex needs are welcome to attend with a carer following prior arrangement with the Short Breaks Lead, however we are unable to offer a 1:1 service.

Referral to short Breaks can be made by the parent / carer, schools or other professionals. To enable families to attend the Short Breaks Positive Activities Programme a registration form must be completed along with a consent to share information form. Your application will then be triaged by the team and if the family meets criteria the registration will be completed. Before the child / young person attends for the first time, a family contact form will be completed in order for us to establish the child / young persons specific needs and the best way for our staff to support them.

Policies
Are your staff DBS Approved?
Yes
Do you have a First Aid Policy?
Yes
Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes
Recognised as:
  • Short Breaks