CS2215 - Wiltshire Council Holidays and Activities Short Breaks (CYP & SEND)

Wiltshire Council will be hosting a series of market engagement events from April 2025 – June 2025 to discuss the future plans and options for the Short Breaks scheme. The first event will be on 14th April 2025 via Microsoft Teams from 12:00 – 13:30. This event will be an informal event to discuss the options for the scheme and to understand what provision your organisation could provide and what is needed to facilitate this. Registration for this event will close at 17:00 on 9th April 2025. Any expressions of interest received after this date, invitations will then be issued for the next event that Wiltshire Council will be hosting.

Background:

The Childrens Act 1989, The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 and The Childrens and Families act 2014, state the duty for local authorities to provide a range of short breaks for disabled children, young people and their families.

Additionally, the SEND code of practice 0- 25 years (January 2015) provides statutory guidance on organisations such as the local authority on the delivery of a short breaks offer.

Purpose:

The overarching purpose of the service is to provide Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) with opportunities to take part in social and educational and leisure activities outside their home.

These opportunities will primarily be independent of the parents and carers of the CYP with SEND which will also provide them with a break.

There can be opportunities where the whole family can participate.

The activities on offer will be led by service users with the provider encouraging ambition and encouraging positive risk taking.

They will be culturally appropriate and meet the racial, cultural, linguistic, gender, sexual orientation and religious needs of the CYP.

They will provide opportunities for new experiences, promote friendships and supportive relationships.

The activities will promote inclusion and promote skills to enable CYP with SEND to participate more fully in the community.

Local context.

Over 15,000 CYP in Wiltshire (excluding Swindon), have been issued with a SEN plan as they have an identified SEN need. Of this number there are over 6000 CYP with an EHCP.

Wiltshire is a rural county and there needs to be provision available over a considerable geographical area. Improved transport links are being developed but travelling around Wiltshire continues to pose a challenge to the community.

Registering Your Interest: If you are interested in attending any of these events, Please contact Gary Topley at [email protected] and provide the following details:

• Name(s)of attendee(s)
• Position
• Name of Organisation
• Confirmation of contact email address If you are booking on behalf of others, please send the above details for each attendee so invitations can be sent.