Short Breaks in Wirral

Section 25 of the Children and Young Person’s Act says that local authorities must provide short breaks for families who have a disabled child or young person.

Wirral Council must make sure families know what short breaks are available and how to access them. This page explains the types of short breaks on offer and how families can use them.

In Wirral short breaks are provided by TuVida. Crossroads Together who some of you may know are now part of TuVida, but it is the same team who offer short breaks.

What is a Short Break?

Short breaks give disabled children and young people time away from their main carer. This is usually a parent or carer.

Short breaks can take place during the day, in the evening, overnight, or at weekends. They can happen in the child or young person’s own home, in the home of an approved carer, or in a residential or community setting. An approved carer is someone who has been checked and trained to support children safely.

Short breaks can also include fun activities for the whole family. Parents and carers can stay at these sessions if they want to. Trained and experienced staff lead the activities. This gives parents and carers a short rest from their caring role.

These activities help the whole family enjoy time together in a safe and supportive way. In Wirral TuVida provide weekend activities for eligible child and young people.

Group short breaks

Group sessions are held every weekend at the Belvedere Centre in Wallasey. These sessions give children and young people time to play and socialise, and give parents and carers a break from caring. The Belvidere Centre is fully accessible. This means it is suitable for children with different physical and sensory needs. It includes:

  • hoists to help with moving safely

  • a secure outdoor play area

  • indoor play space

  • a sensory and television room

Each group offers a range of activities. Children can choose to play on their own or with others. Activities include:

  • sensory play

  • role play

  • cause and effect toys (toys that respond when a child presses or moves something)

  • outdoor play equipment

On Saturdays, there are 3 sessions for children and young people aged 8 to 16 years:

  • 9.30am to 12pm

  • 12.30pm to 3pm

  • 3.30pm to 6pm

On Sundays, there are 2 sessions for children under 8 years:

  • 9.30am to 11.30am

  • 12pm to 2pm

Staff

Each session is led by 4 trained support workers. All staff have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (a check to make sure someone is safe to work with children). Staff are trained to support children with complex needs and disabilities. This includes training in:

  • positive behaviour support (ways to help children feel calm and safe)

  • personal care

  • giving medication safely

We support children with all types of disabilities and all categories of Special Educational Needs (SEN).

How can I access Short Breaks?

Families can put in their own request for the Short Breaks Service.

If you think this service could help your child or young person, please fill in this form: Wirral Short Breaks referral link

If you have any questions, please contact the Short Breaks team using the details below.

  • There is no charge for short breaks. Wirral Council pays for this service.

  • When you are offered short breaks your child has a person‑centred assessment. This means we look at your child’s individual needs, what support they need, and what helps them feel comfortable during sessions. We work closely with you and your child to make sure the support is right for them.

    We use this assessment to create a Special Educational Needs (SEN) passport. This is a short document that explains your child’s needs and support. Your child can use this passport in other places they attend.

    If your child needs specific support, you will complete a more detailed Microsoft (MS) online form. This helps us understand how to support your child during sessions.

  • Children are grouped with others who have similar levels of need.
    Children who need more support are placed in smaller groups.

    Children who use a wheelchair are placed in sessions where other children do not have behaviours that challenge (behaviour that may put the child or others at risk).

    We cannot offer one‑to‑one support for children who have behaviours that challenge. However, we can offer:

    • a smaller group

    • more space

    • quiet areas and calming activities

    If a child needs one‑to‑one support, they are still welcome to attend with a parent, carer, or family member.

  • Sessions run every weekend, including school holidays. Sessions do not run if Christmas Day falls on a weekend or on Easter Sunday.

    During school holidays, we also run pop‑up SEND sessions across Wirral. For these sessions, a parent or carer must stay with the child. Our trained staff are there to support and help when needed.

  • Children who are offered the service are guaranteed 6 months of short break sessions. At the end of this time, we will review how things are going and decide what to do next.

    This might mean helping the child find support from another organisation, or putting them back on the waiting list until a space is free at Tu Vida.

    This helps make sure all children who need short breaks have a chance to get them.

Updated 22 May 2026

Contact Us

Short breaks are offered by TuVida.

For more information, please contact us:

Email: shortbreaks@tuvida.org
Telephone: 03333 23 1990