- \n
- Universal services and activities<\/strong>: These are clubs, groups or services that are open to all children and young people, both with and without a disability. They are services that are accessible to anyone at any time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Universal+ services<\/strong>: These ‘targeted help’ services are services that, typically, parents and carers can access directly for their child or young person. They will be aimed at supporting children who have a disability or special educational needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Targeted support<\/strong>: These are services that have been assessed by the Council as being needed in order to meet unmet and eligible social care needs. They may be services which are currently not accessible without direct involvement from the Council.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specialist services or individual support<\/strong>: These are services that can be accessed via an assessment of your child or young person\u2019s needs, carried out by the Council. These services are for children and young people whose needs cannot be fully met through universal and\/or targeted services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Requesting a short break, or other social care support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
If you have already tried our Early Help and Universal+ activities and feel you need a further assessment, parents and carers can request help from our social care teams by calling <\/a>0345 155 1015<\/a>. Our lines are open Monday to Thursday: 9am-5pm, and Friday: 9am-4pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professionals and practitioners should use our online request for support form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Our vision and commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We’re dedicated to ensuring children, young people and their families are at the heart of all we do; in every action we take and every decision we make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know that what we do today affects children and young peoples’ tomorrows. We are focused on helping children and young people to be safe, fulfil potential, develop resilience, and enjoy good health and wellbeing throughout their life journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nShort breaks statement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our short breaks statement explains the support available to families with disabled children and young people in our local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ve highlighted the key points on this page, but our full short breaks statement ‘ Understanding short breaks’ is available to download if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Graphic](\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/170\/2026\/06\/Short-breaks-statement-screenshot-300x168-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload our full short breaks statement<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat our short break statement covers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our short breaks statement explains the support available to families with disabled children and young people in our local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It meets the requirements set out in the law, and includes information about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- the different types of short breaks available<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- who can use short breaks and how we assess needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- how short breaks are designed to support families and carers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We developed this statement together with parents, carers, children, and younger people to make sure it reflects what local families need providing the information which is necessary to them to find the right services and support. In addition to the main elements above, we have included information which parent carers frequently ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What we aim to offer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We want to make sure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- there are enough short breaks for all children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs, and their families<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- you and your family can access short breaks in your local community where possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- the types of breaks are varied, so you can choose what works best for your family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What we’re doing to develop our offer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\nOur new Devon Local Area Short Break Strategy 2026-2030 sets out a clear and ambitious vision: to provide an inclusive, high-quality, and graduated short break offer tailored for disabled children and young people aged 0 to 18, alongside their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDownload our full short breaks strategy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"Image](\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/children-families-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/170\/2026\/04\/Short-Breaks-Strategy-screenshot-209x300.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n- Feedback<\/a>
Tell us about your experience of short breaks and providers in Devon by using this online form: Feedback- short breaks and providers, helping us know what matters to you<\/a>.<\/p>\n
You can use this to tell us about positives or to identify areas of development. It provides you the opportunity to help us develop our offer<\/p>\n
Parent Carer Forum Devon<\/a> helps us to have regular conversations with parents and carers about services and support for children and young people with SEND. Find out more about how we work together<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Stay informed<\/a>
To keep up-to-date with news and information about our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer like our page on Facebook<\/a>, or sign up to receive our SEND newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n
For more information on our vision for children and young people in Devon please see our Children and Young People\u2019s Plan<\/a> and our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Find out about our Max Card<\/a>, offering discounts on family days out.<\/p>\n
Contact the Parent Carer Forum Devon<\/a> through their website, by email admin@parentcarerforumdevon.org<\/a> or request to join their Facebook group<\/a>.\/se<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Stay informed<\/a>
- Feedback<\/a>
- Universal+ services<\/strong>: These ‘targeted help’ services are services that, typically, parents and carers can access directly for their child or young person. They will be aimed at supporting children who have a disability or special educational needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n