CYP Now - Analysis: Respite care - The disability short breaks debate

MPs are due to debate a Bill that, if successful, would give families with disabled children a minimum entitlement to short breaks. At the same time, figures on the costs of these proposals have been released. Asha Goveas looks at the barriers and the benefits.

"I don't think I could have continued to care for Harry if it wasn't forthe home sitting service," says Rosie Massey, whose 12-year-old son isprofoundly autistic. "He's perfectly affable, but he runs off and, ifthwarted, he can hurt."

The 10-hour monthly breaks, provided by Barnardo's' Hamara service, havegiven the mother-of-three time to go the hair dresser, relax withfriends and catch The Archers' 50-year anniversary in Birmingham. It hasgiven Harry the chance to try new activities. "I'm on my own with myboys," she says. "If I didn't have that time out I don't know what Iwould have done."

A political issue

The necessity of providing short breaks for families like the Masseyshas raced up the political agenda over the last year. This week, as theTreasury puts together its review of disabled children's services, aBill aiming to guarantee families a minimum level of short break carehas its second reading in Parliament.

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