Coronavirus update - Short Break schemes
Many Short Breaks services in Surrey have now reopened in line with the roadmap out of lockdown published by the Government in February 2021. However, some schemes currently remain closed and others have restricted capacity or are open for reduced hours. This is in order to comply with Government legislation and guidance regarding social distancing and hygiene, to ensure that schemes are staffed appropriately, and to ensure the safety of staff and of children and young people accessing schemes. This also means there is a risk of schemes having to close at short notice.
Below are details of the main Play and Leisure services currently available which families can access directly, together with contact details. Please ensure that you contact the provider to check availability.
If your child has an allocated social worker, they will be able to provide further support and information.
Further information about available Short Breaks services will be added to this page over the coming weeks and months as things change and subject to the roadmap out of lockdown. An updated and refreshed Short Breaks Directory will be available later in the year.
Play and leisure services currently available
Below are details of some of the Play and Leisure Short Breaks services and activities available across Surrey for children and young people aged 5 to 18, which can be accessed directly.
Please note that provision of Short Breaks services is limited while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place and some schemes may not be running. Others will be subject to limits on numbers of children and young people, and other restrictions, in compliance with Government guidance and the law.
Information is also available via the Surrey Local Offer website.
Please ensure that you contact the relevant provider to check what is available. Some providers will also be able to offer access to online services as an alternative or add-on to face-to-face activities, please ask about these when you contact them.
| Provider name, email, phone and website | Locations and areas covered | Special needs catered for |
|---|---|---|
Challengers Email: playandleisureteam@disability-challengers.org Tel: 01483 230939 | Guildford Waverley | All disabilities |
LinkAble Email u18services@linkable.org.uk Tel: 01483 770037 | Woking Surrey Heath | All disabilities |
National Autistic Society Email: SEResourceCentres@nas.org.uk Tel: 01483 521743 | Spelthorne Waverley Woking | ASD |
White Lodge Email: pyc@whitelodgecentre.co.uk Tel: 01932 567131 | Runnymede Elmbridge Spelthorne | All disabilities |
YMCA East Surrey Email: sovereign@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk Tel: 01737 222859 | Epsom and Ewell Mole Valley Reigate and Banstead | All disabilities, some services specifically for those with ASD |
Surrey Short Breaks Statement
Each local authority must publish a statement about Short Breaks services in their area, so that families with disabled children need clear information to access services. The statement must be kept under review, and it should be revised when new services become available, or when there are changes to existing services.
The Surrey Short Breaks statement for 2021 reflects changes to Short Breaks services and the phased reopening of these services post-lockdown.
Surrey County Council Short Breaks Strategic Forum
We, Surrey County Council, are inviting organisations with an interest in Short Breaks services to join our Short Breaks Strategic Forum.
We are undertaking a Strategic Review of our Short Breaks services which will inform our strategy for the recommissioning of these services (with the new service to commence no later than 1 April 2023).
The Strategic Forum will support the Strategic Review by providing a space for stakeholders to receive and contribute to thinking, progress and reports related to the Strategic Review both in meetings and via email/online.
Membership of the Strategic Forum is open to all organisations with an interest in Short Breaks services in Surrey for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
For further details and to express an interest, visit the e-Sourcing portal.
Surrey Short Breaks for Disabled Children funds voluntary organisations and SEND schools to provide short break services, including after school clubs, holiday schemes, home-care and more.
Our short breaks leaflet (PDF) explains more and answers the most frequently asked questions.
Surrey Children's Disability Register (SCDR)
The SCDR is a voluntary register for children and young people with a disability or impairment, aged 0-18 years and living in Surrey. The register helps us plan and monitor services and also operates as a contact list to provide regular information and consultation about short break opportunities, funded by Surrey County Council, through the Surrey Short Breaks for Disabled Children Team.
- SCDR online registration form
- Telephone:01372 832896
- Email: SCDR@surreycc.gov.uk
Max Card
This is a FREE card which allows families with children currently registered on the SCDR to access various activities around the country at a discounted rate. The scheme is also open to new registrations so anyone interested in receiving a Max Card should register using the details above. Once registered, families will automatically receive the discount card in the post.
Parent Carer break grant
These payments can be made to support parent carers who have a disabled child under 18 living in Surrey who are not currently receiving services from Surrey County Council children's services or have a social worker.
Parents cannot apply directly themselves, but anyone working with a family can apply on your behalf - such as the local carers support workers, Action for Carers Surrey team, or any professional working with you and your child e.g. teachers and Home School Link workers, nurses and health visitors, Children's Centre managers, Early Years Support co-ordinators etc.
A completed Early Help Assessment or Carers Support assessment is required in order to access this grant.
Parent Carer break grants can be used as flexibly as possible to allow parent/carers to identify what best may support them. Examples of previous grants have been used by families to fund or contribute to family holidays, short breaks for parents, training courses for parents, including driving lessons, contributions towards play activities, days out, and in some cases, equipment to help you as a parent carer.
The payment is up to the value of £300 per annum.
For more information, contact the Surrey short breaks team:
- Telephone: 01372 832896
- Email: shortbreaks@surreycc.gov.uk
Surrey Domiciliary Care Service
The Surrey Domiciliary Care Service is a responsive service based within the Children's Service and takes referrals from the social workers of the Children with Disabilities teams East and West. The service covers the whole county and aims to provide support either within the home to enable parents/carers to have a break from their caring duties or within the community to enable a child to access leisure activities.
The last Inspection report is can be viewed at the bottom of the page.
Your feedback on Surrey short breaks
If you want to get in touch with feedback or suggestions, contact the Surrey short breaks team:
- Telephone: 01372 832896
- Email: shortbreaks@surreycc.gov.uk
Family Voice Surrey - A parents' forum
Family Voice Surrey is a forum for parents of children with disabilities and SEN to come together to get their voice heard and influence the development of services for their children. The committee meet regularly to discuss issues of concern and to feed this into ongoing discussions with those who provide services in Surrey to children with disabilities such as Surrey County Council, NHS Surrey and voluntary organisations. For more information:
- Telephone: 01372 705708
- Email: contact@familyvoicesurrey.org
The committee is always interested in hearing from parents that would like to get involved. Please call to find out future committee meeting dates.
Files available to download
- Short breaks leaflet - February 2018 (PDF)
A leaflet explaining how to access short breaks for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities