Short break provision includes activities, for example play schemes, providing children with opportunities to engage with their peers and the community and can involve a few hours a day at a centre or overnight and weekend stays depending on the child's level of needs.

Normally children provided with accommodation as part of a short breaks will not be considered to be looked after by Camden; however those who live away from home for substantial periods of time due to the complexity of their needs will be considered as looked after so that Camden is able to monitor and safeguard their welfare under care planning regulations. This is explained in the short breaks statutory guidance.

Short breaks are agreed by the Short Breaks Panel following assessment of the child's needs and are provided at 2 levels to match the child's needs with the most suitable provision:

• A core offer for children with low level needs; this is accessed following a short breaks assessment.
• An enhanced offer for children with more complex needs; this is accessed following a CYPDS child and family assessment.

Parents of children over 5 can self-refer to the service for a short breaks provision using the self-assessment referral tool.

The Short Breaks Panel will agree a short breaks plan for the child which contains details of the services to be provided and this plan will be reviewed annually although plans for children with more complex needs may be reviewed more frequently.

More information on short breaks is available at section 2.6 to 2.8 of the CYPDS policy and procedures and on the SEND local offer website