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.