We operate two in-house resource centres:

• Cannock Resource Centre located in Bridgtown
   
• Hawthorn Resource Centre in Burton upon Trent

We make sure that the needs of children, young people and families across Staffordshire are identified early and the right help is put in place.

The centres offer flexible packages of support to meet the individual needs of disabled children and their families.

Residential short breaks

Offer overnight stays in the resource centres at weekends or in school holidays, or holidays away.

Community short breaks

Include support for children and young people to access community activities, after school activities both in and outside of the resource centres.

Bespoke packages

These can include support in the childs' home as well as emergency and assessment overnight provision.

Who can use our service?

This Short Breaks Service is not a universal service. To use the service the child or young person:

• must be aged 17 years or under and have a disability
  
  
• their parents, carers and families must have been assessed by a Social Worker and agreed as needing a short breaks service.

This Short Breaks Service is not a universal service. To use the service the child or young person:

1. must be aged 17 years or under and have a disability, and
2. their parents, carers and families must have been assessed by a Social Worker and agreed as needing a short breaks service.

Are there any costs?

Contributions to cost of activities ie admission to themed parks, bowling or cinema are welcome, along with some pocket money for the child or young person to spend.

Bespoke packages can be access by other local authorities. Enquiries for cost of bespoke packages from other local authorises can be made via the Centres.

How do I refer?

The referral must be made by a Social Worker once they have assessed the needs of the child or young person and their family.

Referrals for the Centres will be assessed by a specific Resource Panel comprising of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.

Referrals are also considered from other local authorities. These are allocated through their own local authority assessment panel process.

Referral processes have been designed to ensure that the individual holistic needs of each child can be met, due consideration will also be given to the compatibility with the other young people who receive a service at the same time along with appropriate staffing levels.

What happens after referral?

A Centre Worker will be allocated to each child or young person. This person will collate all the relevant information together in order to meet individual needs. They will also provide the communication link to the Centres, keeping everyone involved and up to date with the relevant information.

Who will I see?

The Centres have highly trained workers within the team. These workers will help the children, young people and their families by providing any relevant information. They will link in with Social Workers to ensure appropriate planning is implemented to ensure the best possible outcome for the young person.

What happens when I come to the service?

The child or young person will be given a choice in what they wish to do, this could be to learn independent living skills, socialise with friends or offered support with person care if needed.

The Centres are registered with Ofsted for a total of six beds each.  Two of the bedrooms have the facility that is specifically designed and equipped to support children with a disability of a more complex nature.  Staff work under the guidelines of Directorate for People, Families First and the Health and Safety Unit at all times.

The Centres are staffed with highly skilled Senior Resource Workers, Resource Workers and Outreach Workers.  At night Waking Night Support Workers, along with staff sleeping –in are on duty.  

What happens when I become an Adult?

A transition plan should be put in place with the child or young persons social workers and Adult Learning Disability Team to enable the child or young person to have an assessment of their needs and to arrange for any identified needs to be met.