Purpose

There is currently a shortage of approved
providers that can offer 1 to 1 support on the Short Breaks
framework. This has generated a waiting list for children, young
people and their families who need a Short Breaks service. The
Short Breaks service area would like to implement a pilot scheme to
address the issue promptly and
effectively. Through this pilot initiative, we can gather valuable
data, refine service delivery, and make informed decisions to
address the waiting list issue comprehensively. The pilot scheme
will serve as a stepping stone towards building a sustainable Short
Breaks offer.
The local authority Partnership & Engagement Team consists of
trained and experienced youth officers who deliver projects and
programmes from one of the City’s Myplace Youth Buildings,
aimed at young people with special educational needs and
disabilities.
They will utilise the Bentley Myplace building, a purpose-built
youth centre which is fully accessible and managed by the Local
Authority. It is complaint with all policy and procedures. Further
adaptations are being made to the building to increase the offer
aimed at supporting the needs of SEND children and young people,
this includes the
development of a new sensory room.
The Short Breaks team have established, through consultation, that
there is an interest from parents to integrate their children into
engaging and interacting with their peer groups through small group
work sessions.
The Local Authority Partnership & Engagement Team are proposing
to offer targeted sessions aimed at children and young people who
currently receive 1:1 support. The pilot program will consist of up
to a maximum of 15 children and young people per session. To be
reviewed in October 2023 and again in February 2024. Children
and
Young People would benefit from social interaction with their peers
whilst enjoying their Short Break

Content

The Local Authority Partnership & Engagement Team are proposing
to offer targeted sessions aimed at children and young people who
currently receive 1:1 support. Thepilot program will consist of up
to a maximum of 15 children and young people per session. To be
reviewed in October 2023 and again in February 2024. Children
and
Young People would benefit from social interaction with their peers
whilst enjoying their Short Break.
The proposal is to offer 2 sessions per week to cater for groups of
up to 15 assessed children and young people during term time. Each
session will be 4 hours in total which will allow for preparation
and evaluation 30 minutes before and after every session, face to
face time will be 3 hours long.
There will also be an offer of 3 sessions per week for groups of up
to 15 assessed children and young people during school holiday
periods. Each session will be 4 hours in total which will allow for
preparation and evaluation 30 minutes before and after every
session, face to face time will be 3 hours long.
The pilot will begin the first week of the 2023 Summer Holiday
period and end 31 March 2024 with a review in October 2023 and
again in February 2024.