Children with Disabilities Service

Introduction

We believe that the basic needs for disabled children are no different from those of any other child. But we recognise that some disabled children have additional needs, or face additional barriers which inhibit and prevent their inclusion in society. And it is those children, that we endeavour to support.

This service covers:

Children’s Social Care Disability Service
Children’s Social Care Disability Early Support Services
Short Breaks Service
Somerset Supporter Service
Direct Payment Scheme
Home based care
Short Breaks Foster Care

The team works closely with colleagues in the Health and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities services, and the Inclusion Team within Education.

Autism and Communications Service (for children up to age 13)
Occupational Therapy Service – specialist environmental and functional assessors in the home, school, respite and other venues

Contact us

Email: childrens@somerset.gov.uk

Phone: 0300 123 2224

Short Breaks

The Short Breaks Service is available to families of disabled children and young people living in Somerset aged 0 to 18 years.

Short break care in Somerset is run by the Children with Disabilities Team, which is part of the Council’s Children’s services.

A video has been put together by the Unstoppables on What is the Short Break Service?

You can access the service through a formal assessment process. A child is eligible for a child and family assessment from the Children with Disabilities social work team, if they:

Have a medical diagnosis of severe physical impairment, learning impairment or autism, and
Have a home address within Somerset, and
Have needs arising from their impairment that cannot be met by universal or targeted children’s services.

The assessment concentrates on the impact of the child’s impairment on their own, and their family’s daily lives. This is separate from issues of family dysfunction, but may take them into account.

You can find more information to help you below.

Short Breaks December 2019 and January 2020 Activity Calendar

Short Breaks Winter 2019 Newsletter

Short Breaks Club Newsletter 2019-2020

Short Breaks Statement

Short Breaks Activity Day Passes 2019 2020

Youth Equipment Store Flyer

If you have received confirmation from the Short Breaks Team about an activity day booking with a reference number you can use the form below to complete your payment.

Make a payment