Single assessment (Respite)

This is a holistic assessment of your family's needs and is carried out by a qualified social worker. This is a complete assessment of your family's needs and is carried out by a qualified social worker.

Specialist short breaks are provided to those families where the children and young people have profound or complex disabilities that impact their daily living for a significant length of time. This includes:

  • Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and other physical disabilities that significantly impact on the child's wellbeing.
  • Learning disabilities
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder, which has a significant impact on their communication needs, social and behavioural development
  • Multiple or severe disability
  • Global development delay
  • Severe sensory impairment
  • Complex physical disability and health needs

In addition, some families will need support from the Council to access appropriate short breaks due to individual family circumstances. For example, a family that has multiple children with disabilities, parents / carers have their own medical needs/disabilities or additional support is required to safeguard a child.

How to request an assessment 

Contact North Tyneside Front Door.  Telephone: 0345 2000 109

The assessment process

In North Tyneside, we do not carry out assessments for short breaks independently. We look at the whole family and develop a Child in Need (CIN) plan with you. This plan may include access to a specialist short break or refer you back to universal and targeted services. We will work with a multi-agency team, which includes health colleagues to ensure your family has all the right support in place.