Devon County Council is rolling out plans to broaden the range of Short Breaks available to disabled children and young people by creating a county-wide network of quality-assured providers.
What the change means
The scheme, which already supports roughly 1,500 children and young people across Devon, offers activities intended both to provide social and developmental opportunities for disabled youngsters and to give parents and carers respite from their caring duties. Planned activities include sport, music, drama, creative sessions, community groups and holiday programmes.
Councillors say the new provider network will increase choices for families and improve access, ensuring support is available regardless of where children live in the county. The expansion follows the recent approval of Devon's Short Breaks Strategy 2026–2030 in March.
Council funding and how support will work
The council confirmed it spends £5.5 million each year on the Short Breaks programme. The new network is intended to strengthen and sustain local provision rather than replace existing arrangements such as the Devon Wallet, which families use to manage personalised Short Breaks and support plans. Direct payments will continue to be available to families who require greater flexibility, particularly those with children who have more complex needs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Current users | ~1,500 children and young people |
| Annual budget | £5.5 million |
| Strategy period | 2026–2030 |
Families' experiences
Parents who have used new Short Breaks provision report meaningful outcomes. One parent described the difference after their child attended a SEND Basecamp at Pixie's Holt on Dartmoor and a family day at Haven Banks in Exeter:
"The new short breaks offers have been life changing. I haven't successfully left my child for over four years, which we managed at Pixie's Holt this half term. I went for cake in quiet!"
That personal testimony underlines how access to supportive, familiar settings can enable both children and carers to benefit from time away from routine pressures.
Council comment and next steps
Cabinet members involved in children's services said the expanded programme aims to make support more equitable across Devon. Councillor Richard Jeffries, Cabinet Member for Children's Services Social Care, commented on the council's intent to ensure that the annual Short Breaks investment supports a resilient network of local providers covering a broader range of activities.
"We want to ensure the £5.5 million we spend every year through the Short Breaks programme supports a strong, sustainable network of local, quality-assured providers covering a wider range of activities."
Cabinet Member for Children's Services SEND, Councillor Denise Bickley, noted that providers had been working with families to develop offers—details of which the council is continuing to refine as it builds the provider network.
Practical information for families
- If you already use the Devon Wallet, that option will remain available and operate alongside the new provider network.
- Direct payments will continue for families who need tailored or more flexible support.
- Parents seeking further details should contact Devon County Council's children's services or check the council's website for updates on approved providers and how to access new activities.
The development represents a county-level attempt to widen both choice and access for disabled children and young people. As the network is established, families and local providers will be watching to see how quickly new offers are introduced and how well they meet a range of needs across urban and rural communities in Devon.
