Essex Short Breaks, Clubs and Activities
Essex Short Breaks Clubs and Activities
Essex Short Breaks, Clubs and Activities provides services for children and young people across Essex, who have a disability or special education need.
Essex Short Breaks, Clubs and Activities works closely with 23 approved service providers who deliver a wide range of fun clubs and activities across Essex.
These service providers have been selected in response to listening to the needs, likes and wishes of the children, young people and families themselves.
There are a variety of integrated clubs as well as specialist clubs where staff working directly with the children and young people are trained in safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity, paediatric first aid, autism awareness, behaviour support, moving and handling, epilepsy awareness and various clinical procedures (generic and child specific where needed).
We also work closely with children, young people and families to identify which of these providers would meet the needs of your family and signpost accordingly.
Who are the services for?
If you live in Essex, are 0-18 years old (or 19-25 and in receipt of a Personal Budget) and have a confirmed diagnosis of a special educational need and/or disability then you are eligible for the Short Breaks, Clubs and Activities through this service.
We currently have over 5,000 children and families registered into the service, either directly or through our service providers based all over Essex.
Why attend a club or activity?
Would you like to:
- have fun?
- try out new things and develop new skills?
- make new friends?
- gain independence?
- have some time away from your family/carers?
- catch up and chill out with your friends?
If this is you or your child or young person then please contact us for more information or fill out a registration form and our team will be in touch to signpost you to the relevant club.
Is there a cost?
All clubs will usually ask for a contribution towards the cost of attending the club or activity.
This could be in the region of £5 to £15 per day depending on the activity, but again, just ask.
We listen to you
As part of the ongoing development of this project our team meet regularly with children, young people, families and other partners across Essex, to ensure that the clubs and activities continue to meet the needs of families.
Look out for these events which are advertised on our website and Facebook page.
The parents and carers coffee events have proved to be very successful and helpful, providing parents with a support network and for sharing with each other some useful tips. Inclusive places to visit with your child or young person within your local communities has been a feature in the last block of coffee events.
Families who are not able to attend these events can feed back to us via our Facebook page, twitter feed, emails, phone calls, regular surveys and suggestions box, which are available on our contact page.
Your feedback is very valuable to us, as we are always working to improve by building on what we currently offer. Please use this link to review Shortbreaks clubs and activities
What clubs are there?
There are a wide range of clubs and activities to choose from including:
- After school clubs
- Holiday clubs
- Saturday or Sunday clubs
- Youth clubs
- Skills and Educational Programmes
- Under 5's toddler groups
- Sports clubs
- Outdoor activity clubs
- Inclusive cycling clubs
- Drama, music and dance
- Swimming club
- Trampolining
- Horse riding
- Arts and crafts
Please refer to our complete service map for further details of what the club offers, where it runs and contact details.
Essex County Council and Essex Short Breaks
Action for Children is responsible for the Clubs and Activities aspect of Essex Short Breaks.
For all other community based short breaks, such as, booking adapted caravans at holiday parks, beach huts, changing rooms, activity tickets, light touch care etc you will need to contact the Essex County Council Short Breaks Team:
- email [email protected]
- phone 03330 139 889
- website https://shortbreaks.essex.gov.uk/
- or you can look at the Essex Short Breaks brochure
As part of the Children and Families Act 2014, Local Authorities must publish a Local Offer setting out, in one place, information about the provision they expect to be available across education, health, social care, entertainment and leisure and employment for children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and/or a disability.
You can find Essex Short Breaks, Clubs and Activities on www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk.