Short Breaks Strategy 2026–2031 – Practitioner Consultation

Dear colleagues,

Kent County Council (KCC) has launched a public consultation on its draft Short Breaks Strategy 2026–2031 — a refresh aiming to expand opportunities where possible, reduce waiting times and improve support for eligible disabled children, young people, and their families.

Chris Palmer, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services said: 

“Short Breaks are a lifeline for many families, but we know from our engagement with families and partners, that the system needs to be easier to navigate and more consistent across Kent.”

“This Strategy is about building the right support, in the right places, at the right time. We want to hear from families and partners to make sure the final plan reflects what really matters to them all.”

The draft Strategy sets out seven priorities aimed at modernising and strengthening the service, including:

• More options for children with complex needs, where demand is highest

• Clearer, simpler information so families know exactly what support they can access

• A more equitable offer across districts

• A review of overnight provision to reduce long waits

• Better preparation for adulthood, including opportunities to build life skills

• More inclusive mainstream activities in local communities

• Greater flexibility through Direct Payments, with better support for families employing Personal Assistants

Alongside the Strategy, KCC is also consulting on plans to:

• Change how overnight short break nights are allocated to ensure they reflect individual needs

• Retire the Max Card offer linked to the Disabled Children’s Register, while signposting families to wider discount initiatives

As practitioners who work closely with families every day, your experiences will help us ensure the Strategy is equitable, achievable, and meets the needs of the children, young people and the families that we support.

Please encourage families to participate where appropriate, and ensure you are familiar with the proposed objectives so you can discuss them with families as part of assessments, reviews and ongoing support.

The consultation is open from the 10^{th of} March 2026 to the 30^{th of} April 2026.
You can read the Strategy and take part here:
Short Breaks Strategy 2026-31 | Let’s Talk Kent

If you have any questions, please contact:
commissioningfordisabledchildren@kent.gov.uk (reference: Short Breaks Strategy Consultation)

Thank you for your continued contribution to improving outcomes for disabled children and young people in Kent.