GovWire

Local authorities can provide short breaks to families with children and young people with special needs. They can include fun, interesting and safe activities during the day or evening, overnight or at the weekend, and give parents and carers a break from caring responsibilities.

Through the short breaks innovation fund, we awarded local authorities extra funding to deliver short breaks and test innovative models of delivery. This report presents the findings from a mixed-methods independent evaluation of the implementation and delivery of year 1 of the fund in 6 local authorities.

We collected data between September 2022 and June 2023, and included early evidence on short-term outcomes for parents and carers, children and young people, and local authorities.