Support at Home

Caring for a disabled child or young person's needs at home can be challenging and exhausting, but there are services out there that can support you.

Short Breaks
Home care support
Equipment

Short Breaks

Sometimes all you need is a few hours to yourself to get on with essential jobs, or take some time out to care for your own needs. Some children with a Special Educational Need are entitled to up to 40 hours of 'short breaks' or activities, which are an opportunity for them to socialise and spend time away from family while you have a break.

Find out if you are eligible for Short Breaks

Home care support

If your child or young person has very complex needs, you may be eligible for help paying for the cost of some home care services.

Home care support is split into 2 types of service:

1. In the home, personal care:

Help at home for families who need extra support for their disabled child or young person with things such as showering, toileting, changing and feeding. This service can also support in dealing with challenging behaviour.

Information:

Companies that provide type of support need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), so it's important to check this before employing a service.

2. Outside the home, community enabling care:

Support for your child or young person to get out and take part in activities in their local community. Activities could include sports, clubs, interest groups, or visits to local attractions. The benefits of this type of support include developing independence, social skills, a sense of personal achievement, fun and enjoyment. It could also provide well- needed and safe respite breaks for parents and carers.

Information:

Companies providing this type of care do not need to be CQC registered unless they are providing personal care when out. However, they will still be monitored by the local authority.

How to apply for home care support

You can refer yourself for an assessment for home care support by telephoning:

0-25 Together Service

0300 123 4043

You'll be asked a few questions about your day-to-day life to understand your child or young person's level of need.

If we decide you're eligible for an assessment, you'll be contacted by a social worker from the 0-25 Together team who will visit you in your home to talk through your child or young person's needs in more detail.

Take a look at our 0 - 25 Together Service document (PDF 1.67mb) to see if you might qualify for our services. (If your child is aged 17 or over, you should apply for an adult social care assessment which will make the transition to adult services much smoother).

If the outcome of an assessment is a care package, the Children and Young People's SEND Brokerage team will contact the lead home care provider in your area.

In some cases, children with very complex needs may be eligible to receive 'direct payments' instead of using the existing services commissioned by us.

Find out more about Direct Payments

Your local home care provider

North Herts and Stevenage (Knightingles Healthcare Ltd)
East Herts, Broxbourne and Welwyn/Hatfield (currently vacant)
St Albans and Dacorum (Concept Care Solutions Ltd)
Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere (Integrated Family Support Limited Tel: 020 8350 8571)

Depending on your level or type of need, the provider will work with you to supply appropriate assistance.

Equipment

There's a variety of equipment available from Hertfordshire Equipment Service (HES) to support children and young people with disabilities.

You will need to be referred to this service by an Occupational Therapist.

Find out more about the Equipment service