Short Breaks - Your Impact
Over the last two years, SGPC have worked alongside South Gloucestershire Council and partners through the Short Breaks Steering Group to help shape improvements to local Short Breaks services. We have done this by sharing the voices of our families based on surveys, focus groups and providing feedback.
We know that real and meaningful change can take time, and it is important that we continue to hear about families experiences. Please continue to share your feedback with us through our Listening Form and let us know about your experiences of using the Local Offer, the Navigator system and accessing Short Breaks over the coming months. By sharing your experiences, you are helping us to represent the collective voice of parent carers and continue working together for positive change.
What changes have happened
Your voice has helped to influence changes designed to make Short Breaks more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of children and young people and their families.
An important part of this work has been ensuring a more personalised approach is in place. Where parent carers feel able to navigate the Short Breaks offer, they feel empowered to discuss their child or young person’s individual needs with providers and where providers have the necessary training and knowledge to make sure that the appropriate support is available to enable then to take part.
We heard you when you told us that access to good quality Short Breaks provision make a real difference to family life, giving parent carers the opportunity to work, study, support other family members, or simply take some much needed time for themselves.
Here’s what you told us and what changes have happened as a result:
You Said
Difficulty accessing short breaks 0-25
Unclear thresholds, inconsistent decision-making.
What’s Changing
Clearer eligibility criteria on what is meant by: Universal, Targeted and Specialist provision to ensure transparency.
Clearer guidance to support consistency, and earlier access to support
Created Profiles and videos to help inform and guide parent carer
You Said
Families highlighted confusion about what is available
What’s Changing
Review of all providers, asking about their offer and their reasonable adjustments
Update and improve the Local Offer Short Breaks webpage to provide information on what’s available, clear, accessible, and up-to-date information
You Said
Families described feeling unsupported in navigating the system, often having to manage complex processes alone
What’s Changing
Introduce a dedicated ‘navigator’ role to guide families, to support families and improve access
You Said
Families raised concerns about limited inclusion within universal services, with providers lacking confidence to support children with SEND
What’s Changing
Provide training for universal providers to broaden understanding of SEND and increase inclusive practice so more children can access community based activities
1:1 SEND Trial - £5k short term additional funding for trial with HAF and training - (to be reviewed)
You Said
Families emphasised the need for local provision to support families and confirmed locations were key to support siblings. Families also raised the opportunity for CYP to travel and attend independently
What’s Changing
Increased training – opening access to community providers.
Transport, locality
You Said
There were not enough suitable activities available, particularly at the right times (evenings, weekends, school holidays).
What’s Changing
Advertise activities available in the evenings.
Improving website.
Directory of services role in place and listings.
Filters on webpage.
You Said
Families raised the lack of Post 18 provision which is formed part of SEND Strategy (not statutory), better linking to Adult Social Care (18-25)
What’s Changing
SGC are investing in early intervention support such as a navigator service and more robust information to ensure the right support is in the place at the right time. This will enable independence and social outcomes that can be carried into adulthood. SGC are currently analysing gaps in the local offer and identifying opportunities for improvement, in collaboration with preparation for adulthood team. There is a dedicated project underway to bridge between adults and children services.
July 2026