CYP Now - Short breaks are a lifeline for disabled young people

"To say that respite is a lifeline sounds like a cliche, but it really is and I honestly do not know how we would cope without it." These are the words of the mother of 10-year-old Nia, who has Down's Syndrome, ADHD and autism. Her mum spoke at the recent launch of Full Lives, my study of short breaks provision for children and young people with disabilities and their parents and carers in Wales.

In 2012, all local authorities in Wales were required to publish a short breaks services statement following regulations that came into force in June that year. These set out the ways in which local authorities must make provision for short breaks for the carers of disabled children in their area. As well as providing support to parent carers and other carers, short breaks offer disabled children opportunities to enjoy the rights associated with social activities.

During the study, we looked at the short breaks provisions local authorities must provide to support them to care for their children at home. We looked at the range of services provided and the degree to which children, parents and carers feel these actually meet their needs.

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