Children and young people with disabilities in Wirral will get the chance to choose from a wide range of short breaks thanks to an "innovative" funding boost.
Wirral Council's new grants programme will allow more organisations to provide a wider choice of respite breaks to support both children with disabilities and their families. The new Wirral Community Short Breaks Grant will complement the current Short Break offer and increase the amount, range, choice, and quality of activities available.
The grants are for up to £5000 and can be used to cover costs such as training, facility hire, staffing - anything needed to develop the service. Eligible organisations will be those which can offer short breaks to young people with disabilities in the borough.
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Funding cannot be applied for individuals – any project must be for a service to benefit a group of children or young people with disabilities. In addition, applying organisations will need to provide evidence they have the correct training and safeguarding procedures in place.
Chair of the Children, Young People & Education Committee, Cllr Kathy Hodson, said: “This is a great project which will benefit children, young people and their families and provide an even broader range of options within the borough.”
The council is seeking applications from organisations who would like to deliver short breaks that can:
- Provide the primary carer with a short break by enabling the young person to spend time away from the family home.
- Help parents/carers feel supported and receive quality breaks in the knowledge that their child is being cared for by trained, professional staff in a safe environment.
- Assist in the development of young people’s self-confidence and social skills to interact with others.
- Offer the young person a positive enjoyable experience with young people of a similar age and needs, supported by appropriate staffing levels/ratios.
- Link in with mainstream provision and developing inclusive practise within these settings.
- Offer achievable and measurable outcomes for Children and Young People.
The short breaks programme is open for children and young people aged 0 – 18 but individuals and organisations applying for grants will be able to target a specific age group with the activity they do. Applications will be taken to a panel of professionals, young people and parents to assess.
The deadline for applications is September 30. For more details, click here.
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