About Us
Brunel Short Breaks is a service commissioned by Swindon Local Authority, offering after-school, weekend, and holiday respite sessions for children and young people with severe and complex special educational needs and disabilities. The service is available from the September following a child's 5th birthday until their 18th birthday and is delivered by Brunel Education, a subsidiary of Brunel Academies Trust.
Our provision includes:
- After-school sessions: Monday to Thursday
3:30pm–6:00pm - Weekend sessions: Saturday and Sunday
9:00am–3:00pm - School holiday sessions: Monday to Friday
9:00am–3:00pm
Brunel Short Breaks offers respite for families while providing a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for children and young people. Our experienced and consistent staff team is trained to deliver medical, personal, and intimate care as required, ensuring each child's individual needs are met with sensitivity and professionalism.
Children receive snacks or meals appropriate to the session they attend. In every session, we prioritise the development of communication and interaction skills, as well as promoting independence and life skills.
Each child is supported at a staffing ratio tailored to their needs—ranging from 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, to 1:3 (staff:child). These ratios are determined during the initial assessment process.
Referral and Support Process
Referrals to Brunel Short Breaks can be made in the following ways:
- By Social Workers for children and young people open to the Disabled Children’s Team
- Via Aiming High, through a referral made by a parent, carer, or professional
- Privately, through direct referrals from parents or carers
Once a referral is received, our team will contact the family and the child’s school to collect relevant documentation, which may include:
- Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- Medical Care Plans
- Behaviour Support Plans
Following this, we arrange a visit to Shaw Farm, our setting, where the child and their parent/carer can begin building familiarity with the environment and staff.
Staffing ratios for each child are established through an assessment and may be:
- 2:1 – Two staff supporting one child
- 1:1 – One staff member supporting one child
- 1:2 or 1:3 – One staff member supporting two or three children
Throughout their time with us, children are cared for by a dedicated team that understands their unique needs and is trained accordingly. We are committed to creating a nurturing and structured environment where children can thrive and develop essential skills.
Contact Us:
To learn more or to begin the referral process, please contact: Kim West – Short Breaks Co-ordinator
Phone number: 01793 286623 / 07766 363156 Email: Admin@shortbreaks.org.uk
Completed referral forms should be sent to the admin email address above.