Deadline: 21-Jun-21
Applications are now open for the Take a Break’s Grant Program to support the carers of disabled children, young people, and their families.
It aims to provide families with the choice and opportunity to access a single or ongoing break from caring. Take a Break grants enable families caring for a disabled or seriously ill child or young person to have the opportunity to choose how they would like to take a break, with a view to improving the quality of life, health and well-being of the whole family.
The Scottish Government aims to improve the provision of, and access to, breaks for disabled children and their families. The key aims are to:
- Provide positive outcomes for carers and those children and young people they care for equally, by improving their quality of life, opportunities and wellbeing;
- Support the personalisation agenda by providing opportunities for carers and the child and young people they care for, to be at the centre of planning and decision making about their short breaks.
Funding Information
Their average award is between £250 to £300
Disability Criteria
- Children and young people must have additional complex needs, or have a serious or life threatening illness, and the child or young person’s condition must be long-term or life-limiting. By long term, they mean 12 months or more.
- There must be evidence that a child or young person’s additional needs impact on a family’s choices and their opportunity to enjoy ordinary life. The degree of planning and support required to meet their needs must be greater than that usually required to meet the needs of children and young people.
- Children and young people must require a high level of support in three or more of the following areas:
- The physical environment: adjustments and adaptations to the home, school and other environments.
- Education: the level and type of educational support the child receives to access the curriculum.
- Communication: speech and language support, sign or symbol or non verbal support.
- Access to social activities: limitation of opportunities and support needed to take part in society on an equal level with others due to social and environmental barriers.
- Personal care, supervision and vigilance: care packages around management and supervision of a child’s condition. Where adults need to provide this well over the age a child would be expected to help self care or monitor their condition(s).
- Specialist resources, including information and communication technology required: supportive equipment and adaptations necessary to support day-to-day activities.
- Medical or therapeutic treatment and condition management: significant support and therapeutic input for suction, oxygen, overnight feeding, transfusions and monitoring of bloods.
Eligibility Criteria
Take a Break Scotland can accept applications from a parent or carer of a disabled child or young person. They can only accept one application per household or family unit. If you can say ‘Yes’ to the following, Take a Break may be able to offer a grant:
- I have lived in Scotland continuously for six months or longer
- I am a UK resident and have recourse to public funds
- I am caring for a disabled or seriously ill child or young person aged 0-20 years who lives at home with me
- My child or young person is not subject to a care order or Looked After by the Local Authority (e.g the child is in foster care).
For more information, visit https://takeabreakscotland.org.uk/about-us/