What are short breaks and who are they for?

If you are a parent or carer searching for, SEND short breaks in Waltham Forest, respite care for disabled children in East London, or support services for SEND families, this guide is here to help.

Waltham Forest Council’s Short Breaks service gives disabled children aged 0 to 18 the chance to try new activities, socialise, and have fun – while their parents and carers get a genuine, much-needed break from their daily caring responsibilities.

A Short Break can be just a few hours, an after-school session, a weekend activity, or an overnight stay. The key idea is simple – both the child and the family benefit, and that regular breathing space can make an enormous difference to everyday life.

What types of short breaks are available?

Waltham Forest offers a broad range of Short Break options to suit different children and family situations

Adventure Playgrounds Inclusive, specialist play sessions available at weekends and during school holidays
Holiday Play Schemes Structured activity programmes during Easter, summer, and Christmas breaks, where SEND transport is often needed to reach venues safely
After-School Clubs Regular social activities held after the school day
Outreach Service One-to-one sessions with a dedicated short breaks worker, at home or out in the community
Overnight Respite at Lester House Available for children aged 8 to 18 with complex needs at the council’s respite centre on Leyton Green Road, Leyton
Sleep Support via 2Sleep Practical sleep plans for families whose child have significant sleep difficulties
Haven House Specialist overnight respite for children with complex medical needs requiring nursing care

Who is eligible and how do you apply?

Your child may be eligible if they have a diagnosed disability or impairment under the Equality Act 2010 – including autism, learning disabilities, physical or sensory impairments, or complex health needs – and are a Waltham Forest resident aged 0 to 18.

Applying is straightforward. Families can self-refer using the Short Breaks referral form, be referred by a professional such as a social worker or school SENCO, or access many universal activities without any referral at all.

Submit completed forms to senteam@walthamforest.gov.uk and the council will notify you of the panel’s decision within 10 working days.

⚠️ Important: From 1st April 2026, only the updated referral forms on the Waltham Forest website will be accepted. Older forms will be returned, so always check you are using the latest version before applying.

Need help? Contact SENDIASS for free, independent advice and support with your application.

How short break hours work?

Once approved, your child receives an annual allocation of Short Break hours that can be used flexibly across multiple providers – mixing and matching holiday schemes, clubs, and outreach sessions to suit your family. Hours can also be converted into direct payments, giving families full control to arrange their own preferred support.

A few key things to remember – unused hours cannot be carried over into the next financial year, so planning ahead is essential.

For further guidance, contact the SEND team on 0208 496 6503

Getting there: why reliable send transport matters

Accessing Short Breaks is one thing – getting there is another. Whether it is a holiday play scheme, a community outreach session, an after-school club, or an overnight stay at Lester House Respite Centre, every journey needs to feel safe, calm, and consistent for a child with SEND. While some providers offer their own transport arrangements, this is not always guaranteed, and families are encouraged to ask providers directly when booking.

Where provider transport is unavailable or does not fully meet your child’s needs, having a trusted and experienced SEND transport provider ensures your child never has to miss out on the support and activities they deserve.

Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND needs, making every journey easier and stress-free. From holiday play schemes and after-school clubs to respite centre visits, Jimac Cars offers calm, comfortable, and consistent transport for children and young people with disabilities across Waltham Forest and beyond. Because when the journey is right, everything that follows can be too. Contact Jimac Cars today to find out how we can support your family’s Short Break transport needs