BRUNEL Short Breaks Respite

About Brunel Short Breaks

Brunel Short Breaks is a service commissioned by Swindon Local Authority to provide after school, weekend and holiday leisure sessions for children and young people from the September after their 5th birthday until their 18th birthday. It is run by Brunel Education, a subsidiary company of Brunel Academies Trust.

The Short Breaks provision provides after school and weekend respite. Our after school sessions are from 3:30pm to 6:00pm, Monday to Thursday. Our weekend sessions are from 10:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday. We are also open throughout the school holidays from 10:00am-4:00pm Monday to Thursday.

Brunel Short Breaks caters for children and young people with a range of severe and complex special educational needs and disabilities and staff are able to provide medical, personal and intimate care where required.

After school sessions during term time are run from Brimble Hill Special School. Weekend and holiday sessions are run from the Shaw Farm Centre. At both venues, children and young people have access to a range of engaging activities. They also have access to safe, enclosed outdoor space with a range of play equipment, and indoor soft play area.

Children and young people are closely supported by a consistent staff team who understand their needs and receive appropriate training to provide any necessary care. Children and young people receive snacks and meals appropriate to the time that they attend sessions.

Opportunities are taken to support and develop children’s communication and interaction skills, independence and life skills.

Children are supported within sessions on a staffing ratio that is appropriate for their needs (2:1, 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3). Support ratios are agreed upon assessment.

Referrals to Short Breaks can be made by Social Workers where a child is open to the Disabled Children’s Team, through a referral to Aiming High, which can be made by a parent/carer or other professional or through a private referral from a parent/carer.