Short breaks for disabled children

Short breaks are sometimes referred to as ‘respite’ or ‘respite care’ because as well as being beneficial to the disabled child, they also benefit the rest of the family, including other children within the family. 

All short breaks, however, must first meet the needs of the child or young person with disabilities; respite services offered should enable disabled children to lead as normal a life as possible, and wherever possible, disabled children should not be segregated. Priority will be given to the safety and welfare of the child or young person and as much choice as possible will be built into the plan. 

A short break may take many forms – depending on the assessed needs of each child or young person, and their unique circumstances. 

Following The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children (Wales) Regulations 2012, Torfaen Council has produced it’s first Short Breaks Service Statement. This statement applies to all disabled children and young people aged between 0-18 who live in Torfaen and their parents and carers. It is a work in progress and will be continually reviewed by disabled children, young people and their families. This document has been designed to give you information about:

• Who can access short breaks
• The range of short breaks currently available in Torfaen
• How short breaks meet the needs and aspirations of disabled children and young people and their families in Torfaen