Imago Short Breaks Service Offer 2021-2022

Imago Short Breaks Service is for Children and Young People with a disability aged 8-17yrs (inclusive), who live in Kent, and who require a level of additional support that makes accessing mainstream/universal services unlikely.

These activities have been funded by KCC Disabled Children’s Services for those children & young people who:
 

• Are under 18years of age
   
• Are residents of Kent (in that their parents/ legal guardians pay their Council Tax to KCC)
   
• Have a disability that prevents or hinders them from making use of activities generally provided for others of the same age.
   

The focus of Imago short breaks service is to support children & young people who have a mild to severe disability, as set out in KCC Disabled Children & Young Peoples Service.

The Eligibility Criteria can be found at:  http://kentchildcare.proceduresonline.com/chapters/p_child_disability.html

Ultimately, suitability for activities will be assessed using IMAGO’s Dependency Rating Tool which is established through a detailed online questionnaire, and then scored. This tool is available on request.

The range of activities delivered through the Short Breaks Service allows for the children to develop social relationships, explore emotions through these relationships and enhance intellectual and physical skills throughout their time spent on activities, whether these are sporting, creative or cultural activities.

The overall aim of the Short Breaks service is to provide community-based breaks, enabling disabled children to have fun, gain independence, learn and develop, while families get to take a break from their 24-hour caring.

• After school youth cafes (8 – 14 year olds) after school groups in each district through to the summer holidays. All sessions are fun learning opportunities, focusing on building confidence, participation, life skills and independence.

• Monthly day activities (14 – 17 year olds) taking place on a Saturday each month with Sessions focus on transition and progression by providing young people with activities that use local community facilities.

• Summer Holiday day activities (8 – 17 year olds) running throughout the school holidays with a number of fun and engaging activities taking place across Kent

• Online zoom workshops (8 – 17 year olds) - fortnightly clubs taking place online via zoom helping with building self-esteem, reducing isolation and keeping in touch with friends

• Parent support coffee mornings and family forums - a social event and opportunity for parents registered with our short breaks service to get to know one another and gain local information on events and resources from the short breaks team

• Overnight breaks (8 – 17 year olds) – Further details to follow

   If you are having trouble accessing this form please follow this direct link.

Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering on our Short Breaks programme, please get in touch at volunteering@imago.community