Government announces £800 million funding for short breaks

11 December 2010

Campaign welcomes highest ever investment in short breaks for families with disabled children

Sarah Teather MP, Children's Minister announced today (11 December 2010) that the Government will be providing local authorities with £800 million over the next four years to fund short breaks for families with disabled children over the next four years. This represents approx £200 million per year, a £22 million year on year increase on 2010 funding, and sends a clear message to local authorities that services for disabled children should be a high priority.

In addition, to help improve the way short breaks are provided, the Government is also announcing £40million of capital investment in 2011-12 which will help to support innovative local services like the Hull bicycle project - which provides adapted bicycles so that disabled children can have fun cycling in the park with their friends.

Short breaks allow parents of disabled children to carry out day to day tasks that other parents take for granted. Crucially, they also give disabled children and young people opportunities to access positive activities independently of their families. Throughout November, supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters (EDCM) campaign have worked with their MPs to call upon the Government to provide a clear message on funding for short breaks, and other services for disabled children.

This announcement comes ahead of Parliamentary debates about regulations under the local authority duty to provide short breaks. These regulations state that by 1st October 2011 local authorities must publish a statement for carers in their area setting out:

• details of the range of short breaks services provided;
• any criteria against which eligibility services will be assessed; and
• how the range of services is designed to meet the needs of carers in their area.

Finally, Sarah Teather MP announced £27 million next year for the Family Fund. The Family Fund give grants for things that make life easier for families with disabled children such as washing machines, driving lessons and computers.

Christine Lenehan, Director, Council for Disabled Children and EDCM Board member said: "We are absolutely delighted that the Government has increased funding for short breaks. Parents of disabled children have told us that 'the lack of short breaks is the biggest single cause of unhappiness with service provision'. This is the most significant level of funding for short breaks we have ever seen. As it coincides with the statutory duty on local authorities to provide breaks, which comes into force in April, families with disabled children should now confidently expect that they will receive the support that they need to lead ordinary lives.'

Laura Courtney, EDCM Campaign Manager said: "Today the Coalition Government has delivered on its pledge that disabled children are at the heart of what they are trying to achieve. This is a testament to the dedicated campaigning of supporters of the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign, and the diligent work of their constituency MPs. We warmly welcome this investment and will work with supporters to ensure that it translate to excellent local delivery."

Click here to see the press release from the Department for Education