Short break activities help disabled children have fun, try new things, gain independence and make friends. They also help parents and carers take a break from the pressures of family life.
Activities can be after school, at weekends or during school holidays. They can last from a couple of hours to a few days.
Activities can be broken down into 3 categories:
There are lots of activities which all children can access, like Brownies and Cubs, arts and crafts or football clubs.
All services must make reasonable adjustments so that disabled children are included in their activities.
You can look for activities using these Leeds City Council websites:
You can also find activities via your school and your local children's centre.
If a service needs support to meet your child’s needs, please ask them to contact us to discuss our Inclusive Activity Award.
Sessional Inclusion Workers support families of disabled children to access activities for everyone. They will attend the chosen activity with your child and upskill the group and staff at that activity. Offering short term support that aims to help the child to continue attending the group, after the support has finished.
Accessing Sessional Inclusion Workers:
Targeted short breaks are activities for specific groups of children.
Leeds City Council targeted services
Specialist services are aimed at children with more complex needs that cannot be met by universal or targeted services.
Access to specialist services is via:
Specialist services can include daytime or overnight breaks in a short break unit, short breaks with an approved foster carer or individual support worker.
Leeds City Council's One minute guide on short breaks and fun activities (PDF).
Scope has developed a quality standard to improve services and help parents choose short breaks and activities.
This map shows all the activity providers who've achieved the Scope Quality Standard.
Help for Lead Professionals in Leeds.
Scope Inclusive Activity Award for providers of short break and activity services in Leeds.