By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
More disabled Nottingham children will be able to take breaks away from their families and carers under new council plans.
Around 80 children who are currently eligible for the breaks can’t take them due to lack of space at the current provider.
Nottingham City Council is planning to draw up a longer list of approved providers to make the opportunities more accessible.
The breaks could be held after school, at weekends or in the school holidays, and give families and carers some time for themselves.
The breaks may include group activities in the communities for children aged five to 17 with various levels of disabilities.
Children with more complex disabilities and health needs will also have the option for one-to-one support during the day or overnight.
The council’s Commissioning and Procurement Executive Committee approved plans to look at expanding provision on Tuesday (July 9).
A report which went before councillors said: “It is recognised that children are ordinarily best cared for within their family and are therefore seeking to further develop services to support families to continue to care for their children and avoid having their child becoming looked after.
“The proposed arrangements will be local and available at suitable times, such as, after school, weekends and within school holidays, which will enable parents and carers to receive essential respite from the additional caring responsibilities experienced through having a disabled child.”
Residential breaks are part of a separate contract, and won’t be affected at this time.
Councillors were told there are approximately 80 children eligible for breaks which the provider doesn’t have room for.
Councillor Cheryl Barnard (Lab) said: “I’m really pleased with how we’ve encouraged the market to develop. This is something we could learn from in other areas such as Adult Social Care.”
The number of families who apply for the breaks tends to fluctuate, with 12 in the first quarter of this year compared to 50 for the same period last year.
