Respite and Short Breaks

There are a number of different forms of respite or short breaks which may be available for families of children with disabilities:

• local authority or voluntary sector specialist residential units
• home support services (e.g. from Crossroads Caring Scotland )
• holiday playschemes (often run at special schools)
• local authority and voluntary sector short breaks (e.g. Shared Care Scotland family based schemes) which has a list on their website
• befriending schemes
• day care
• provision within supported housing
• holidays (with care and support) for users
  arrangements where the carer and the dependent relative/friend remain together
• The Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) is a charity that provides hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions

Following an assessment of need of a Section 23 a social worker should be able to advise the family on access to respite.