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How well do you think short breaks are meeting

the needs of children and young people?

How would you rate the choice and

availability of short breaks?

How many short breaks do you use?

Surrey Short Breaks

Survey 2012-13

24 said they were unaware of short breaks,

the full range available or how to get them

13 said short breaks

are hard to get

‘Availability especially at short notice is

still a problem’

‘Good breaks available up to 16 years

only. There needs to be more for 16+.’

‘It varies greatly. It is ok as there

are still gaps but it is much better

than it was.’

‘There are some fantastic things in place but

they seem to cater for more high functioning

or LD/MLD kids.’

183 parents replied

either online or by

post

32% didn’t mention any short breaks but some chose not to

answer the question.

Some families choose not to use any and

many don’t know the full definition of a short

break.

68% of respondents use at least one short break

service.

University of

Surrey survey*:

72% said there

aren’t ‘several’

options

* In 2011 the University of Surrey, sponsored by Disability Challengers, undertook research into short break including a survey of parents.

Only responses from parents of disabled children included here.

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Location

Gaps in Camberley, East Surrey, Epsom,

Leatherhead, Lingfield, Runnymede,

Spelthorne, Waverley

National Autistic Society (NAS) has clubs around Surrey including

Redhill, Epsom, Staines and Godalming.

Leatherhead has the Funtastic Club for all disabilities.

Challengers in Epsom, Oxted, Caterham, Dorking and Bookham.

Link Leisure runs a youth club in Camberley. There is Saturday

swimming at the Arena Leisure Centre for children with disabilities

Overnights/Weekends

“Respite with trained disability nurses.”

“For children below teenage.”

“Even if you don’t get social services.”

“More expensive but many of our

children don't sleep.”

We recognise that there will always be a need for overnight short

breaks and these services will continue to be commissioned for those

children for whom this is the best way to meet their assessed needs.

Nursing care is provided by the NHS for children with complex health

needs who meet the criteria for continuing health care; this may be

provided in the child's own home or a residential setting.

Day/Weekend trips

“Something at PGL Hindhead?”

“Real activity breaks; canoeing,

climbing, archery.”

“Use SCC facilities (e.g. High Ashurst).”

Disability Challengers, Link Leisure and NAS have regular day trips and

occasional overnight trips.

High Ashurst and PGL Hindhead are great ideas! We will make a note

of them, and take them forward as budgets allow.

Holidays

“Haven/Butlins should offer

subsidised breaks.”

“Holidays at the seaside.”

“A 5-7 day summer camp.”

“Help throughout the summer!”

Many organisations run holiday schemes including; Challengers

(Bookham, Dorking, Epsom, Farnham, Guildford, Caterham, Oxted),

Link Leisure (Woking), Reigate & Redhill YMCA, interAKtive – ASD

(Worcester Park), Grafham Grange – ASD (nr Guildford) and White

Lodge (Chertsey, Addlestone, Walton, Spelthorne).

We’ve noted ideas regarding Butlins/Haven and full summer service.

Sports

“More sports clubs for the disabled.”

Dancing, boxing, athletics, trampolining,

Judo/karate, canoeing, swimming clubs

Sports clubs can be found at:

www.activesurrey.com/clubs/activity-finder

www.asksid.org.uk/fab

Teenagers

“My son needs a social skills group”

‘There should be more during holidays.’

“11+ and for a certain activity.”

Again, there are a number organisations that run schemes for teenagers.

Get in touch with Surrey Short Breaks or visit www.asksid.org.uk/fab for

more information.

Autism

“More for 14-18 yr olds with mild ASD.”

“Support groups, trained specialist staff

to come to the home, social groups.”

“Social groups for children with

Aspergers but high intellectual ability.”

The NAS has youth clubs in Ash, Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Reigate

and Staines. There is a NAS Family Support Worker who offers advice

and support on the phone or at home. NAS run support groups.

halow organise weekend and evening trips for young people aged 16+

Link Leisure (Woking, Camberley) run lots for young people with

learning disabilities.

Where are

the gaps in

Surrey?

Though we have made some

suggestions, these main

themes have been noted.

University of Surrey

survey: “Disabled

children are accessing

significantly less activities

than non-disabled peers.”

You said... Did you know...

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Where do you get information on short breaks?

How far do you agree/disagree that views of parents/carers are taken into account about short breaks?

- ‘Strongly Agree - Agree - ‘Strongly Disagree - ‘Disagree’

- 25

- 46

- 11

- 18

- 19

- 40

- 14

- 13

How would you like to have your view heard?

Parents/Carers Children / Young People

‘Parents of children with the highest

needs can't get to conferences etc and

often too tired to fill in forms.’

TOP 5 WAYS PARENTS

WANT INFORMATION:

1. By email

2. Schools

3. By post (via Disability Register)

4. Good as it is!

5. A single website

‘More posters - send to school, children's

centres, GP surgeries etc. Radio advert?’

‘I think that the better sharing of

information is one of the great successes

of the Aiming High project in Surrey. A

website up to date with all the contact

details of helpful.’ organisations would

be good.

University of

Surrey survey:

39% said it is

difficult to get

information

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Ensure services

all over Surrey

More!

Wider range and more places

More overnight support -

prevent family breakdown Raise awareness –

clear and easily accessible

information

Day/ Weekend trips –

especially for older children

How would

you spend the

short breaks

budget?

University of

Surrey survey: 33% think services for "Any disability"

are best. Only

around 8% prefer

"Integrated".

University of Surrey survey:

Most important factors for

short breaks: Having been before, staff ratio, staff competence, the range of activities, a

warm welcome!

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Other ideas ‘Easy access after-school clubs with

transport home or in local area.’

‘Befriending schemes across Surrey.’ ‘Soft play centre especially for special

needs.’

‘More 1:1 support including playschemes’ ‘Clubs where they learn something e.g.

swimming.’

‘Recently a canal trip was offered. It

would be great if adventures like that

were offered more regularly.’

‘Drop-in resource to cope with

emergencies and care at short

notice’

‘I would love to see a 'disco' based

occasional party for the older youngsters

to mingle with people of the opposite

sex.’

‘Grants to take a break, subsidised entry into

soft play areas, theme parks, theatres, cinema

together with free entry passes for the extra

carers’

‘Is there any chance that Surrey short breaks could

team up with Surrey Arts and provide suitable music

lessons within the school day for disabled children.’

‘Free or sponsored crèche-style clubs

operated on hourly basis.’

‘Aspergers activities during holidays

(secondary school age)’

‘More liaison workers for families under

stress would be good.’

‘interactive breaks that involves interacting

with the community through mentored

volunteering.’

‘there are a lot of families going

into crisis from the

SLD/Complex/Behavioural end of

the scale.’

.’

‘Please please more availability of schemes over

Christmas, this is such a stressful time and respite is

closed the whole time.’

‘Give parents the money to use as they feel

would best meet the needs of the child and

family’

‘Please do something for siblings - maybe a

siblings group. Desperately needed.’

‘Would like a more coherent list - sometimes

unsure what organisation is doing what.’

‘Nothing is available to children who

are unable to go out.’

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Compliments

‘Surrey Short Breaks has provided a

great service - especially the Fun Days

and trips to Thorpe Park

‘I’m pleased with the level of work

being put into improving services. It

has made a dramatic difference..’

‘short breaks (aside from overnight) has

improved a lot in the last four years and

communication is much better, so well done

‘Everyone I have come into contact with

has been lovely. The Merlin Pass is

amazing. Thank you very much for

supporting my family.’

‘The services in existence are brilliant

and provide a lifeline to all who use

them however we need more!.’

‘We feel Surrey provides a good service

and number of activities for disabled

children and young people.’

‘I think we are lucky to be living in Surrey where there is such good

provision.’