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Short breaks

Who can access specialist services for disabled children?

The information below is for parents and carers of disabled children and outlines the eligibility criteria for specialist services. This information is also available as a leaflet 244kb which you can download.

My child has a disability. What support is available?

We are working with our partners to provide a wide range of services for disabled children and their families, including short breaks and facilitating access to the same services as all children. This has been made possible through the Short Breaks programme.

We have set up Parent Voice, an information and participation hub, where you can find out more information, receive support and participate in decisions about services for disabled children.

What specialist services are available?

Disabled children with complex needs may need specialist services from Children’s Services, including: social work support; overnight short breaks; the family link scheme and support within and outside the home.

A social worker will make an assessment to decide if your child is eligible for specialist services, using the criteria outlined in this leaflet.

There are many disabled children in Hampshire and we use eligibility criteria as part of the assessment to prioritise and to ensure families most in need receive help.

Do you think your child is eligible for specialist services?

Please read the criteria opposite. If you feel your child is eligible, the first step is to request an initial assessment of need. This will involve a telephone call and possible visit from Children’s Services. You can do this by telephoning 0845 603 5620 or email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk

The criteria

We will use this statement and criteria to decide which children are eligible.

In order to achieve outcomes appropriate to their potential and as a result of their disability, the child requires total or substantial support, appropriate to their age, from another person, which is not available within the family network.

Examples below to be read in conjunction with the above statement.

Child uses specialist equipment for mobility
Child requires support for all basic self care functions when no longer age appropriate
Child needs constant supervision throughout the day and for prolonged periods at night, when no longer age appropriate
Child has behaviour as a result of disability that is a serious risk to self and or others, including self harm
Child has communication needs which, without support, severely affects personal safety, i.e. is deaf, blind or without speech
Child has been assessed as having either: Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD); Severe Learning Disability (SLD); and/or autism with challenging behaviour, which results in significant risk of self harm or harm to others

Other factors that will influence assessments

Carer has physical or mental health problems
Actual or potential risk to health or safety of carer
Carer suffers sleep deprivation on a regular basis due to needs of the disabled child through the night
Child’s behaviour is a serious risk to self or others
Child has been / or is the subject of a Child Protection Plan
Other Person(s) with disabilities or long-term health needs in the household who needs support
Sole carer and has a limited support network
Significant pressures in the family e.g. domestic violence
Risk to the child because of the physical environment
Risk of the disabled child's care breaking down
Without support the child is likely to need a specialist residential or educational placement
The family has difficulties in meeting financial commitments
There are stressful family relationships which may be harmful to disabled child
Impact on siblings e.g. needs of other children in the family at risk

Do you need information, advice or support?

Contact Parent Voice

Parent Voice
www.parentvoice.info

Disabled Children Team

Children’s Services Department, Elizabeth II Court East, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG
Telephone 01962 846399
Email aiminghigh@hants.gov.uk

Return to information about eligibility criteria