Short breaks policy gets under way

A total of £370m has been allocated to improve short break services in England over the next three years, enabling more disabled children to take short breaks and giving their families a rest from caring.

The Aiming High for Disabled Children review found that short breaks are seen as the highest priority service for families with disabled children.

Health minister Ivan Lewis said: "It is intended that all disabled children will benefit from this investment, including those with complex health needs or life-limiting conditions requiring palliative care."

Christine Lenehan, director of the Council for Disabled Children, said it was a significant sum of money which would give local authorities and their NHS partners an opportunity to provide more support.

The pathfinder authorities include Telford and Wrekin, Brighton and Gloucestershire.

The investment will extend to all of England from 2009.