If you have a disabled child you’ll understand that short breaks make a difference!

An Aiming High Disabled Child (AHDC) grant could help make the difference and provide you with the short break you need.

Safehands acting as care provider in association with Lancashire County Council can help provide carers with the well earned break you both may need.

What is a short break?

Short breaks provide a specialist service which aims to support severely disabled children and their families, over and above ‘universal’ services, which are available to all families  They include services which you may think of as ‘respite care’, but ‘short breaks’ is a better way of describing support which both children and parents enjoy.

Short breaks:

• Give disabled children and young people the chance to enjoy new experiences and make new friends.
• Give parents and families a break from caring and time to recharge their batteries.

Short breaks can be

• In the day, evening, overnight or at the weekend.
• In your home, at an approved carer’s home or in a community setting (like a leisure centre, youth club or school), or somewhere where children can sleep over.
• In regular groups (like cubs, brownies, karate, drama, swimming etc) with the extra support your child needs to take part fully.
• An extra pair of hands so that the whole family can enjoy doing things together.
• For a few hours or up to a couple of weeks at a time, depending on what a child and their family needs.

Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC) Full Service

It up to each Local Authority to decide what sorts of short break services are needed in their area and use the Aiming High grant to put them in place.

Lancashire Country Council aims to provide short term breaks that are fit for purpose and age appropriate for the following groups:

• Children and young people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) who have other impairments
• Children and young people where challenging behaviour is associated with other impairments
• Children and young people with complex health needs
• Children and young people with complex handing needs
• Young people 14+ who are severely disabled and require services that are appropriate to their age.

Safehands have a range of services available for Children with Disabilities including the superb Safehands Holiday Clubs – open every school holiday, with superb activities tailor made to your child’s needs.  From a full day to part day Safehands Holiday Club can help.

In addition to the Safehands Holiday Club scheme, Safehands can provide tailor made breaks to suit your exact requirements.  From trips to the park, watching a movie, or trip to the football, cinema or theatre.  You name it Safehands almost certainly can provide the right care for your childs needs.

If you require any further information regarding Short Break care for Disabled Children – call Safehands today on 0844 8482810

or visit the Lancashire County Council website - www.lancashire.gov.uk/aiminghigh

Please note Aiming High Grants are only available in this instance to clients with a Lancashire County Council post code.