Letter: Services are a lifeline for families

AS Rotherham Council finalises its budgets for the next financial year, Contact a Family, the national charity that supports families with disabled children, has published worrying new research showing that spending on short break (or respite) services for

Families describe short break services as a lifeline. They save the state tens of millions of pounds by supporting parent carers to look after their disabled children, giving them the chance to recharge their batteries or spend time with their other children.

At the same time they give disabled children and young people opportunities their non-disabled peers take for granted like trying new experiences and making new friends.

We appreciate the challenges the council face due to national government funding decisions but want to make sure that the economic and social value short break services bring to families and communities — and the potential impact on families if these services are reduced — are recognised so further cuts are avoided.

Contact a Family is encouraging families with disabled children to visit www.cafamily.org.uk/shortbreaks to find out more about accessing short breaks services locally and how they can work together with other parents and the council to help improve this vital service for families with disabled children in Rotherham.

Una Summerson, head of policy, Contact a Family