The Provision of Short Breaks for Disabled Children and Young People who have Complex Care Needs

The service is to provide over night short breaks support for children with Severe Intellectual Disability (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD).

The children are referred from 4 Local Authorities (East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, City of Edinburgh Council) and range in age from 5-18years. They all have Behavioural Support Plans and there requires to be support and advice given by a Clinical Psychologist to assist in the delivery of the support. It is expected that the staffing ratio of 1 staff to 1 child will be required to support this group of children.

The provider will need to be Care Inspectorate registered, have staff qualified at SVQ level 3 and with an HNC and have a strong management team to support staff working with this cohort of children.

The provider needs to also have a building that can accommodate single rooms for seven children along with appropriate staff facilities. This needs to be approximately within a 35 miles radius from the borders of West and East Lothian.

The building also needs to be adapted to ensure a safe and caring environment for the children – this needs to include windows and doors that are reinforced, secure furniture, a secure garden with appropriate play equipment, space for medical equipment and secure storage of medication.