Campaigning on children’s social care

On 1 April 2011, a legal duty on local authorities to provide short break services to families of disabled children in England came into force.

Short breaks are a vital lifeline for families, and this new duty is an important one for children with autism and their families, particularly at a time when many local authorities are making cuts to their services for disabled people. 

Regulations accompanying the duty make it clear that every local authority must provide a range of short break services for families of disabled children. This includes both daytime and overnight care in and outside the child's home, as well as education and leisure activities.

Short break services must also be provided to help carers to care more effectively for their disabled child, not only in times of crisis. If local authorities fail to do this, they will be open to legal challenge in court.

Funding for short break services

Local authorities have £800 million over the next four years (£198 million for 2011/12) which they should be investing in short break services.

However, we know that many areas have made cuts to their services for disabled children and are concerned that some authorities will not have allocated sufficient resources to providing short breaks.  

That's why we're supporting a campaign by Mumsnet and Every Disabled Child Matters to make sure local councils are spending this money properly. Please email your local authority to make sure that they are investing in short break services for disabled children. Take action here.

Have your say

Every local authority must prepare a short break services 'statement', setting out details of the range of services to be provided, who will be eligible for them, and how the services are designed to meet the needs of carers in their area. The statement must be published by 1 October 2011.

Local authorities should consult families while preparing their statements. This is a chance to have your say about the short break provision that is needed for children with autism and their families where you live. Contact your local parent/carer forum, or your director of children's services to find out how you can get involved.

More information

• Breaks for carers of disabled children regulations 2011
  Regulations setting out what local authorities must do to meet their new legal duty to provide short break services.
• Short breaks for carers of disabled children: advice for local authorities
  Further, non-statutory guidance for local authorities about the provision of short breaks for families of disabled children.
• Department for Education - short breaks
  The Department of Education's website has more information about the short breaks duty, including guidance on who is eligible.