Short Breaks and Respite Care for Children and Young Adults

“It feels homely, safe and happy…”

At Seashell, we understand that caring for a child or young adult with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) impacts a family in many different ways. That’s why we help families by providing short breaks and respite care for children and young adults who attend our special needs residential school and college and other young people with a respite need from other areas. Respite gives parents and carers short breaks from full-time care and provides children and young adults with a break in a new environment.

With our short breaks and respite care for children with special needs, you can take a break from your caring role with the reassurance that your child or young adult will be fully supported by the highly experienced and dedicated team at our multi sensory learning facilities. Our respite care for children and young adults offers a change of environments and new experiences – both of which are incredibly important for general health and wellbeing.

We’re really proud of the service we’re able to offer and have received lots of kind feedback from families. One parent noted: “It feels homely, safe and happy…like leaving your child with family, friends or relatives.”

Our Offer

We provide short breaks and respite care for children and young adults with complex learning disabilities.

We have two short break homes that we use to provide respite care for children and young adults with the most complex needs. One children’s home is registered with Ofsted for children up to the age of 18 while the other home is registered with the Care Quality Commission and is for young adults aged 18 to 25.

Our short breaks are the perfect solution if you’re looking for respite care for your child or young adult. They can be accessed by children and young adults who receive their educational provision at our school or our college, or by children and young adults who access their education elsewhere.

As one parent recently told us: “The team are always approachable and happy to help in anyway they can. The service has been so valuable to our family and we appreciated everything they do for [our son].”

Please note at this point in time we do not have single occupancy respite offers. We offer communal living and encourage children and young adults to socialise with their peers and enjoy positive interactions. We also don’t accept emergency placements and all respite enquiries need to come via referrals to admissions@seashelltrust.org.uk

Fully Adapted Provision

Our fully adapted facilities meet the complex needs of the children and young adults placed with us.

Each of our two short break homes accommodates a maximum of four children or young adults. Our respite SEND short breaks provide an individual bedroom, a personalised care plan and shared use of the communal living spaces with other individuals of their own age and interests.

One Seashell parent told us: “The [adapted provisions] allow [my child] to have experiences and take part in activities which he is more receptive to. I really have the utmost faith in the service looking after my son.”

We also offer a sensory room, a calming and relaxing environment that offers stimulation and enhanced learning through play.

Recreational Activities

Seashell’s short breaks offer access to a full range of recreational activities, including arts and crafts, music and cooking as well as access to a range of fantastic facilities including swimming and hydrotherapy pools and fully inclusive cycling track.

Our short breaks and respite care houses are staffed by a highly skilled team who are on hand at all times. During short break stays staff may accompany children and young adults on trips away from the Seashell campus to visit local shops, restaurants, cinema and other cultural and recreational venues.  We believe such recreational activities help to develop the young peoples’ cognitive and social skills.

The time spent at Seashell in respite care is a fun and positive experience for each child and young adult.  It also offers some much-needed down time for parents and families.

As one parent recently told us: “I couldn’t wish for a better Short Breaks facility. The staff are great!”