13 May 2025
The Targeted Short Breaks registration window is now open for families to register their child/ young person. The registration window will be open until June 6th.
Please note that if your child is already registered for Targeted Short Break Activities and you can currently book activities you do not need to re-register until October 2025. This registration window is a mid-year window for those who missed the October window, or have since become eligible.
What is a Targeted Short Break?
Targeted Short Breaks Activities are activities provided in the Cumberland area that are designed to meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities. This gives parents and carers the opportunity to take a Short Break from caring.
We offer our own targeted short break services which gives children and young people in Cumberland access to 76 hours of free activities across the year.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Targeted Short Breaks service in Cumberland, your child or young person must:
- be ordinarily resident in Cumberland, and
- have a disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010, and
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan, and
- be within the academic year groups Year 1 to Year 13.
If you would like to speak to someone directly about Short Breaks or have any questions surrounding eligibility or the registration process, please call: 0300 3038 165. You can also email the service at: shortbreaks@cumberland.gov.uk
Eligible children and young people will be offered access to Targeted Short Break Activities. Most of our providers are only able to support children and young people with low to moderate level needs. They are unable to support children or young people that have a higher-level need.
If your child has a higher level of need, Specialist Services Short Breaks may be appropriate for you. For more information, please contact the Children with Disabilities Team on: 03332 401 727.
How can I find out more?
To find out more about Targeted Short breaks, and to register, please visit our Local Offer Targeted Short Breaks page below:
"There are limited activities available for teenagers and older children/ young people."
We are pleased to say that People First will be running activities exclusively for young people aged 14 - 18. These activities will be offered in Carlisle, Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven.
Some sessions will include activities promoting independence, such as using local train services and exploring the local community. All sessions will be staffed one staff member to two young people.
"Activities need to support those with personal care needs."
We are pleased to say that activities offered by Carlisle Mencap can support children with personal care needs. Staffing ratios for Carlisle Mencap activities will vary based on the needs of the children booked on each session.
We are pleased to say that some West House sessions will also be able to provide 1:1 support for children who need this, as well as personal care.
Our current providers for Targeted Short Break activities are listed below. We also hope to have more activities and providers soon!
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