Research and analysis

The impact of short breaks on families with a disabled child over time: the second report from the quantitative study

Research looking at the effect of short break provision for disabled children and their parents, carers and siblings.

Documents

Details

This report presents the findings of a longitudinal survey into the impact of short breaks on disabled children and their families. The study is the final element of a programme of research commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) and carried out by the Centre for Disability Research (CeDR).

This research had two aims: the first was a programme evaluation of the then AHDC short break pathfinder programme; the second was to provide information about the effect and outcomes of short break provision for disabled children and their parents, carers and siblings.

The DfE intended that the research findings would be used to improve the provision and commissioning of short breaks at a local level, to provide information to underpin advice to local authorities and to inform national policy.

This report adds a longitudinal dimension to the findings reported to date, by examining continuity and change in the usage of short breaks over a 10-month period and the ongoing effect of short breaks as reported by the families who use them.

Published 24 November 2011