Specialist and respite short breaks
Find out about short break services for families of children with SEND that require an assessment from a social worker.
About specialist short breaks
Specialist short breaks are highly specialised or bespoke services for children and young people who have:
- severe and enduring cognitive delay and learning disability
- low functional abilities
- physical disabilities
A child or young person is eligible for Specialist SEND Short Breaks services if:
- they live in Brighton and Hove
- are aged 0 to 25; and
- have highly specialised needs and have undergone a social care assessment
Support ratios within Specialist Short Breaks sessions include: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 or 1:4. Disability is defined in section 17 (11) of the Children Act 1989.
Services will check your eligibility at the point of booking, and may make a small charge for a place. If you receive direct payments, you can use these to fund a place.
Specialist short breaks providers
Activ8 For Kids
Activ8 run an after-school club at a special needs primary school. Their staff have relevant and up-to-date training on various medications and strategies to ensure they keep all children safe and can meet their needs.
Amazing Futures
Amazing Futures Holiday Scheme is for young people with SEND aged 14 to 25 in Brighton and Hove. The scheme provides 3-hour and 6-hour sessions across the Easter and Summer Holidays.
The scheme offers 14 places per session with 1:4 or 1:1 support.
Angling4Education
Angling4Education offer an exciting, unique and accessible fishing experience. This experience gives children and young people:
- an engaging opportunity to grow and develop
- confidence and motivation to access activities and the natural environment independently
They have been successfully delivering short break sessions for over 9 years.
Crossroads
Crossroads provides a home-sitting service for children and young people with disabilities.
Down Syndrome Development Trust
The Down Syndrome Development Trust (DSDT) provides a bespoke activity structure specifically for children and young people with Down syndrome. They provide opportunities and activities that aim to enrich children and young people’s lives.
All staff and volunteers have had specific Down syndrome training and safeguarding training.
Many young people they support also work within the charity as sports coaches.
Respite short breaks
Tudor House
Tudor House is a residential respite provision offering short breaks for young people who have severe learning disabilities and who may also have physical disabilities. This facility is best suited to young people aged 10 to 18.
Drove Road
Drove Road is a residential respite provision which offers short breaks for young people with severe learning disabilities. This facility is best suited to young people aged 8 to 18.
Review of in-house respite provisions
We're currently undertaking a review of the in-house respite provisions.
The proposal is to consider:
- increased capacity for respite within Drove Road
- Tudor House becoming a full-time residential establishment