An independent evaluation of the pilots, which were launched in 2008 and run for three years, found that the most innovative short breaks on offer were those that been developed with children and young people.
However, while pilots were involving parents in developing breaks many were struggling to move beyond the "theoretical intent" of involving young people, researchers found.
Among innovative ways some councils were involving young people was to set up Dragons' Den-style panels of young people to hear ideas from short break providers.
The researchers found that in areas where children were involved there was a greater range of short breaks and a greater emphasis on short breaks that parents and young people can enjoy together.
Commissioning was also looked at by researchers. They found that the best commissioning was where councils worked with local providers to develop short breaks rather than simply buying existing breaks.
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