Short breaks provision in Camden

Healthwatch Camden heard from families of children with special educational needs that they were worried that the provision of short breaks may be affected by the budget cuts that Camden Council has to make from 2015. They conducted a survey of parents who are currently benefitting from short breaks provision in Camden to understand what contribution short breaks are making to the health and wellbeing of local families.  85 parents completed the survey.

Key findings

• 93% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that the short breaks help them stay emotionally and mentally strong
• 89.4% agreed or strongly agreed that the short breaks help them stay healthy
• 96.5% agreed or strongly agreed that the short breaks help their child with special needs
• 95.8% (of those with other children) agreed or strongly agreed that the short breaks helped the other children in their family
• A reduction in the short breaks provision would contribute to increased stress and family pressure
• Anxiety levels at the prospect of a reduction in short breaks provision are already very high
• Families fear growing mental health problems may be a consequence of reductions in short breaks provision
• A reduction in short breaks provision would lead to a reduction in the capacity of families to cope with their caring responsibilities.