Families thanked for 'Short Breaks' care offer feedback

29 Mar 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Families of disabled children are being thanked for their invaluable feedback into the Short Breaks care offer review.  

In the autumn the county council undertook a review of the Short Breaks care offer for disabled children and young people and their families.  
The review aimed to ensure that the offer met the needs of families in Northumberland. 

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children's services, said: “This review has given the council the opportunity to look at how we can refresh the offer to meet the needs of those who benefit from it most.  

“Without the feedback and input from those who have used the service previously we would be unable to successfully put in place any amendments that are needed to fully ensure all those needs are met.  

“On behalf of the council I thank those who took part.”  

The review found that families are accessing some of the services and value the support on offer. Those who took part said they valued the friendships and support networks, access to leisure facilities and activities, the opportunity to get a break from caring responsibilities, the time to spend with family and the support to be able to prepare their children for adulthood.  

Families also offered some guidance on how the council can better support them with the offer through a better understanding of ‘short breaks’, providing more accessible information and guidance for those families that can access it – creating a greater awareness of the offer and support as a whole, being more flexible and offering more choice.
 
The findings and recommendations will now be considered as part of a wider implementation programme which will see the council, partner organisations and families come together to work on the next steps to ensure that the short break offer meets the needs of disabled children, young people and their families. 

For more information visit > https://nland.uk/SENDLocalOffer 
  
To share any further comments, feedback or expressions of interests to co-produce in the future email: shortbreakfeedback@northumberland.gov.uk