Short Breaks research

Between 2008 - 2011 EDCM undertook a research project evaluating the impact of the Aiming High for Disabled Children short breaks programme on the lives of disabled children and their families. You can find these three reports below.

EDCM has also undertaken further research on short breaks for disabled children on the eligibility criteria local authorities use and the value of short breaks.

Our most recent report looked at the short breaks services statements that have been a statutory duty on local authorities since October 2011, and how these were meeting the information needs of families with disabled children.

• Short breaks in 2015: an uncertain futureEDCM's latest report on short breaks warns that unless government secures continued funding for short breaks through the Spending Review, it risks undermining outcomes for disabled children and the successful implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reforms. Read more...
• Short Breaks Services Statements: commitment and transparencyThis report published in January 2012 looks at Short Breaks Services Statements, produced under the Short Break Duty, by 55 local authorities. It makes recommendations both to Central Government and local authorities on its findings. Read more...
• Raised Expectations: Parental experiences of short breaksThis report published in October 2011 is the final report in EDCM's three year research programme which charted parents experiences of short breaks throughout the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme. Read more...
• No Going Back! Parents' expectations of short breaksThis report published in July 2010 is the second of three annual reports charting parents' experiences of short breaks over the course of the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme. Read more...
• Short Breaks Tracking Interim ReportA report published in April 2009 which highlights the interim findings from an EDCM research project evaluating the impact of the Aiming High for Disabled Children short breaks programme on the lives of disabled children and their families. Read more...
• Calling for clarity: eligibility criteria for short breaksThis report published in November 2010 examines 60 local authorities eligibility criteria for short breaks. It makes a series of recommendations to both Central Government and local authorities on its findings. Read more...