Short Breaks engagement survey

Action for Children have decided not to continue to offer overnight Action Break holidays for disabled children and young people after the end of their current contract which will be April 2022.

While overnight holidays haven’t been able to go ahead for the majority of the last 18 months due to government guidance, Action for Children have delivered alternative Short Breaks such as fun days out which have been very much enjoyed and appreciated by children and their families. Understandably, some families have felt anxious about their child going away on an overnight Short Break during the pandemic. As a result, we feel it is a good time to speak with children and families about what kind of a service they would like in place next year. 

Please be reassured that all other Short Break services will be continuing. Through working with families to arrange alternatives to the Action for Children Action Breaks, we will be taking account of the specific needs of the children and young people who have used this service in the past and will be planning suitably registered provision where this is required.

We also want to reassure you that we will make no assumptions about what children and families need. During the pandemic we have seen a reduction in demand for overnight short breaks and an increase in demand for more ongoing and regular Short Breaks. We will therefore work with families to ensure their current needs and wishes are taken into account.

We are aware that parents, carers and children all benefit from the opportunities afforded by Short Breaks. We are keen to hear from families with disabled children, as well as disabled children and young people themselves, about what they would like, so we can ensure we have the right mix of services and opportunities.

The views of children, young people and families in receipt of any Short Break are important to us and will help us commission the right number and range of services for the future. 

We would really appreciate your feedback to help inform what alternative provision to put in place to replace Action Breaks. The survey will be open between 18 November to Wednesday 22nd December.

Section 1 of the survey is focused on parent carer feedback.

Section 2 is optional and includes questions for children and young people (with help from parent carers if needed)

We are committed to making sure the funding for Short Breaks is used to support as many disabled children and young people and families as possible in a way that best meets their needs.

Your feedback will be collated and shared with providers, including Action for Children, so that providers can develop alternative Short Breaks provision.  

Thank you.