Find short breaks for children with special needs and disabilities
Where to find after school clubs, holiday schemes and overnight care so that children can have fun while parents or carers take a break.
About short breaks
Short breaks are leisure activities that support children and young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND).
They give children the opportunity to have fun, learn new skills and socialise while parents or carers take a break from caring. This is sometimes called respite care.
Some short break services can be used by all children and young people with SEND and some are only available to children who have an assessment from social care.
To find out how assessments work and ask for an assessment you can contact:
- your social worker
- your caseworker
- Child Development Centre at Seaside View
Find short breaks
On our website you can find:
- short breaks that don't need an assessment, such as after school clubs and holiday schemes
- short breaks that need an assessment from social care, such as services where your child is looked after overnight and outreach support where children and young people get support to take part in social and leisure activities
Other places where you can find short breaks and get information include:
- Amaze website
- Family Service Directory
- our Short Breaks statement (PDF 1.19MB) that includes feedback from families about short break services
Get discounts and save money
Children and young people who live in Brighton & Hove, and who have special educational needs or disabilities can get a Compass Card. This is a discount card you can use to pay less for leisure activities and get special deals.
Parents and carers, including young carers, can get a Carer’s Card to get discounts.
More information
Find out about help you can get if you have a child with disability on the GOV.UK website.