Children’s social care is there to support families at different levels, not just in emergencies. Whether you need short breaks, practical advice, parenting support, or help accessing services for a child with SEND, social care can provide early help. The aim is always to prevent difficulties from getting worse.

Short Breaks is a broad term covering a wide range of activities and opportunities. In Shropshire, “Short Breaks” includes:

All In Holiday Club (specialist holiday provision for children who need extra support)

All In Short Breaks via Actio (activities like swimming, horse riding, arts, and sports)

Overnight Residential Short Breaks & Domiciliary Care (for children with higher assessed needs) It’s not one service — it’s a mix of different options to meet different families’ needs.

It’s open to children with an All In membership, whether or not they have assessed care needs. The holiday club is designed for children who need more support than mainstream activities can offer. Some children will have a social care assessment, but others may not. It provides a safe and supportive place for those who need a bit more than other All In activities can give. Managed by Shropshire Council’s Short Breaks Team and delivered by Action for Children.

Actio activities are supportive and SEND-sensitive, but they are not funded to provide personal care or intensive 1:1 support. Actio manages the All In Activity Programme, which includes everything from arts sessions to sports clubs. The activities are tailored to children with SEND who find it hard to access mainstream clubs, but they are designed as inclusive sessions, not specialist care provision. Planned by Actio, funded by Shropshire Council, available to children with an approved All In membership.

These services are only available after a social care needs assessment. Overnight Short Breaks (stays away from home) and Domiciliary Care (support at home) are for families whose children have been assessed as needing this level of support. Families may receive a Personal Budget via Direct Payments to fund this care. Delivered by Action for Children, managed by Shropshire Council’s Short Breaks Team, following assessment by the Disabled Children’s Team