The purpose of this guide is to assist local authority officers and Members to understand the law in relation to short breaks and to apply it effectively.

This should assist in supporting and protecting the provision of vital services for families. It is important in CDC’s view that the level of awareness and understanding of the law relating to short breaks is the same in every local authority. The guide also covers the duties on NHS bodies in relation to short breaks and so will be relevant to the health partners of local authorities, particularly Clinical Commissioning Groups. We hope the guide will also be helpful to families and providers who want to understand the legal duties on local authorities and their health partners.

Families and young people may find the link in the Downloads box to the BwD Shortbreak Statment useful, and also the links below to related pages on our website.

If you would like to apply for a short break, please contact ...

• Children’s Social Care (children aged from birth to 18 years) by telephoning the Referral Information Co-ordinators on (01254) 666400
• When a young person is aged 18 or over, please contact the Customer Liaison Team on (01254) 587547.
• Alternately, you can email pamela.price@blackburn.gov.uk  or call Duty Staff on (01254) 503773