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Short Breaks Consultation

What are Short Breaks?

Short Breaks are a range of services that support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families.

Children and young people aged 5-19 can have time with, or away from, their families and can enjoy familiar and new experiences.  

Short Breaks can include holiday activities, after school and weekend activity clubs, youth clubs, and buddying support. 

Read more about our current Short Breaks offer.

Why are we consulting? 

Short Breaks are highly valued by families. However, demand for SBLO has grown significantly in recent years. The number of children accessing SBLO has more than tripled since 2019.

We have invested more in SBLO services but demand for support continues to grow, and the cost of providing services is increasing. As a result, many families experience waiting times and some children cannot currently access activities, even when they have registered.  

We want to make sure that available resources are focused on children and young people with the highest levels of need. We are therefore seeking views on a proposed targeted, needs-led approach and any transitional arrangements or alternative options that could be considered. 

What are the proposed changes? 

You can read full details about the proposed changes we are considering in our Short Breaks Consultation document (pdf 126kb).  

There is also an easy-read version of the consultation document (pdf 3.8mb).

Current arrangements

Most children and young people aged 5 to 19 with SEND who live in Hertfordshire can register for SBLO and access up to 40 hours of support each year if they receive eligible disability benefits or have supporting evidence from a relevant professional. Currently no assessment is made on level of need or support required. 

Proposed Targeted, Needs-Led Model

Under the proposed model:

  • Access would be based on a Social Care Assessment or Carer's Assessment. An assessment is a supportive process that helps us understand what is important to a child and their family, including their strengths, needs and circumstances. We work together with families to identify what support may be helpful and how best to meet the child and family's individual needs.  
  • Support would be allocated according to assessed need, with priority given to those with the highest levels of need.
  • The amount of support received would vary based on individual circumstances.
  • Council funding would continue, but family contributions would increase to a minimum of £5 per hour.
  • All providers will be expected to have a hardship policy  to support families in financial disadvantage so cost would never be a barrier to accessing an activity.

Potential Benefits

  • Greater support for children and young people with the highest needs.
  • Better targeting of limited resources.
  • Reduced waiting times.
  • A more sustainable service for the future.

Potential Challenges

  • Some families currently receiving SBLO may no longer be eligible.
  • Children with lower levels of assessed need may need to rely more on community-based provision.
  • Additional assessment processes would be required.
What is a Social Care Assessment? 

A Social Care Assessment is a discussion with a social care professional about a child's needs, the impact of those needs on the family, and what support may be required. 

The assessment would be used to help determine eligibility for targeted Short Breaks support. 

Under the definition of disabled children in the Children Act 1989, all disabled children are ‘children in need’ and are entitled to an assessment. If an assessment of a child or young person’s disability is likely to lead to lifelong support from statutory social care services, early help and social care funding support can be offered. For more information on assessments, please see: 0-25 Together Service Leaflet

What support would continue regardless of the decision?

Whatever decision is made following the consultation, we will continue to develop and promote a range of community based support for children and young people with SEND. All families would continue to be able to access information, advice and opportunities through:

Have your say

We recognise that some families may have some concerns about the proposed changes to the current arrangements. We want to reassure you that no decision has been made at this stage.  

The feedback received through this consultation will help us understand the potential impact of the proposals and inform future decisions. Should any changes be agreed, families will be provided with clear information, appropriate support and suitable transition arrangements. 

We are committed to listening carefully to all feedback and fully understanding the potential impact on children, young people, and families before any final decision is made. 

Consultation events

We are running the following sessions with the support of Herts Parent Carer Involvement (HPCI): - 

  • Thursday 19 November, 10.15am - 12 noon
    In-person at Robertson House, Stevenage. 
    Places must be booked in advance - to book, and receive parking permit, please email sendcommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk by 26 October 2026. 

The consultation closes at 12pm on Thursday 17 December.

Need information in a different format?

To request a paper copy or information in an alternative format, please contact: 

sendcommissioning@hertfordshire.gov.uk