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Short Breaks and Leisure Activities

Short Breaks and Leisure

Activities and groups for young people with SEND in Suffolk

Every Local Authority has a duty to provide a range of short breaks for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. Short breaks can include clubs, sports and other activities that enable children and young people with SEND to make friends, try new things and take part in the same sort of activities as children without additional needs.

Why use a Short Break?

Short Breaks offer a range of benefits for your whole family, including:

A break for you

Short breaks allow carers to recharge and to take a break from their caring responsibilities.

Breathing space for your whole family

Short breaks can give you a chance to spend quality time with your other children knowing that your child with SEND is in safe hands.

Time to recharge together

Many of our short breaks are available for the whole family to enjoy together, giving you new experiences and memories.

Fun!

Our inclusive short breaks allow young people with SEND to enjoy many of the same fun, exciting activities as their peers.

Build confidence and learn new skills

Your child will be given supported, inclusive opportunities to try new things and develop their skills.

Make new friends

Many activities are group based, allowing young people with SEND to make friends with other young people in their area.

Find out more about Short Breaks in Suffolk

Activities Unlimited

Short breaks open to all children and young people with SEND in Suffolk, plus Short Break Personal Budgets.

Health Short Breaks

Specialist residential Short Breaks provided by the NHS for disabled children and young people with complex health needs.

Social Care Short Breaks

Specialist residential Short Breaks from Social Care, for disabled children and young people with complex needs.

Young Carer Short Breaks

Giving young carers a chance for a break from caring.

Group of children cooking sausages around a campfire

Welcoming places

Places that accommodate for young people with additional needs.

Short Breaks Duty Statement

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to provide a range of short breaks to meet the needs of disabled children and young people.

Birdseye view of someone using a laptop with a coffee and mobile phone next to them on a yellow table

The children and I have had a really amazing couple of days. We met some amazing people and the kids have done loads; so proud of what they've achieved, it's been amazing to be away and not have to worry. All the instructors were amazing - very patient and understanding of the children's additional needs.
T, parent of two children with SEND

Short Breaks allow us to come together as a family to do activities that would normally be difficult to do. Having staff there that are trained to help children with a range of needs means that you can relax and be their mum/dad/sibling instead of their carer. We all look forward to our short break every year and have made the most amazing memories that will stay with us for life.
N, parent of two children with SEND

The children and I have had a really amazing couple of days. We met some amazing people and the kids have done loads; so proud of what they've achieved, it's been amazing to be away and not have to worry. All the instructors were amazing - very patient and understanding of the children's additional needs.
T, parent of two children with SEND

Short Breaks allow us to come together as a family to do activities that would normally be difficult to do. Having staff there that are trained to help children with a range of needs means that you can relax and be their mum/dad/sibling instead of their carer. We all look forward to our short break every year and have made the most amazing memories that will stay with us for life.
N, parent of two children with SEND