Short breaks in 2015: an uncertain future

EDCM has found that more than half of local authorities (58%) have cut spending on short breaks for families with disabled children since 2011/12. The report shows that the current financial climate is challenging the sustainability of short break provision. It 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.

EDCM’s findings are based on freedom of information requests submitted to local authorities across England in summer 2015. EDCM also held focus groups and surveyed parent carers to find out their experiences of short breaks provision. The research reveals the impact of reduced local authority spending on short breaks, with parent carers reporting cuts to provision, barriers to accessing appropriate short breaks and increasing unmet need. This has resulted in widespread anxiety among families with disabled children about the future of short breaks and the prospect of increasing numbers of parent carers reaching crisis.

Read the full report here.