Short breaks - training materials

From 1 April 2011 important new duties on local authorities came into force about the provision of short breaks

The first set of duties relate to Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations and Guidance. The second set describes the new duty on local authorities to provide short breaks.

In February and March 2011 the Department for Education, Council for Disabled Children, Together for Disabled Children and Contact a Family organised a series of 11 events where information about the new duties was disseminated to local authorities, voluntary organisations and parent forums.

These training materials are based on these events and consist of:

1. Short Breaks Statutory guidance on how to safeguard and promote the welfare of disabled children using short breaks.

2. The short breaks duty and accompanying advice.

3. The short breaks capital grant determination for 2011-12.

4. A presentation about the Short Breaks Statutory guidance on how to safeguard and promote the welfare of disabled children using short breaks, and a paper which accompanies this presentation.

5. A presentation about the new duty to provide short breaks and a paper which accompanies this presentation.

6. Frequently asked questions about the Short Break Statutory Guidance.

7. Four case studies about providing accommodation under section 17(6) or section 20(4) of the 1989 Children Act.

8. A paper about the role of Independent Reviewing Officers in the provision of short breaks for disabled children.

9. A model short breaks care plan (currently in development).

10. A quiz on the short breaks statutory guidance, both with and without answers.

11. A quiz on the duty to provide short breaks, both with and without answers.

12. A paper about The Short Breaks Services Statement - How Voluntary Agencies can get involved.

For more information click here.