Haringey Council is set to invest an estimated £2.7 million in short breaks services for disabled children and young people, aiming to enhance support for carers and provide children with enjoyable experiences. On average each year, approximately 260 disabled children and young people access short breaks services through use of their personal budget.

The investment, approved at a Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Wednesday 15 October 2025, will establish an open framework with multiple suppliers for the provision of short breaks services. These services, which local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide under the Children Act 1989 and the Children and Families Act 2014, offer disabled children and young people opportunities to spend time away from their primary caregivers.

The framework will cover a range of activities, including after-school programmes, weekend activities, holiday activities, outreach support, and other short breaks. The initial framework agreement will last for four years, commencing on 1 November 2025, with the option to extend it for up to an additional four years. The council plans to re-open the framework every 12-18 months to allow new providers to join.

Eligibility for these services extends to children and young people aged 0-18 with disabilities and/or additional needs, including:

  • Complex health needs including physical disability and/or life limiting condition and/or cognitive or sensory impairments
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and/or Severe Learning Disabilities – challenging behaviour.

The council says that the investment aligns with its Corporate Delivery Plan, which prioritises ensuring that disabled children and young people and their parents/carers have access to a range of short breaks services. The council also says that it is committed to becoming a Net Zero Carbon Borough by 2041, and will encourage sustainable transport methods and energy-saving measures among short breaks providers.

To support the council's Net Zero Carbon Borough commitment, staff, children, and young people with disabilities will be encouraged to use sustainable transport methods. Short breaks providers will be encouraged to utilize energy-saving measures and adopt smart energy management systems within their buildings. Waste reduction measures will also be emphasized, including recycling programs.

The Public reports pack for the meeting outlined that the services were tendered under 5 separate lots:

  • Lot 1 (After school activities)
  • Lot 2 (Weekend Activities)
  • Lot 3 (Holiday Activities)
  • Lot 4 (Outreach)
  • Lot 5 (Other short breaks).

Tenders were evaluated based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) in accordance with criteria set out within the Invitation to Tender documents, including a Quality/Price weighting of 800/200. Tenderers were required to score 320 points to pass the quality (method statement) evaluation.

Contract monitoring will be carried out by service commissioners on a termly basis. The service will be monitored and evaluated on a range of outcomes and Key performance indicators which have been set out within the service specification.