Short Breaks Services

A short break can last between a few hours and several days.

It can take place:

• in your own home
• in a supported setting
• within the community

It provides families with a break from their caring role and time to spend with other family members or to have time to themselves. The Local Authority provides the following short breaks which are accessed through an assessment by Social Care.

For further information about Short Breaks and eligibility criteria for children and young people in Stockton-on-Tees, read the Short Breaks Statement of Purpose (PDF, 888 KB).

A copy of the latest Hartburn Lodge Statement of Purpose can be requested from Hartburn Lodge by emailing hartburn.lodge@stockton.gov.uk or calling 01642 527994.

Apply for a Short Breaks Grant

The grant is now open for applications. Please complete the Short Breaks application form. The grant is a limited fund and will close if either:

• the number of applications are likely to exceed the available funds

Or

• at 5pm on 31 January 2025, if funds have allowed.  

Any applications received once our limit has been reached will be unprocessed. We apologise in advance for any disappointment.

Complete the Short Breaks Grant application form

Further information can be found in the Short Breaks Grant Offer (PDF, 275 KB).

Receipts and unused monies need to be returned by 12 March 2025, receipts submitted after this date may not be processed in time for the next grant period which may affect any further applications.

Receipts must be sent it within 2 weeks of monies being used.

You can also sign up to the Stockton Parent Carer Forum (SPCF) who co-produce the grant with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Returning receipts

Parents or carers must ensure that all receipts or unspent money from any previous grants awarded are returned. Any new applications received where there are outstanding receipts or monies will not be processed. 

It is essential that funding is secured prior to any activities or purchases made that you intend to use the grant for.

For this period we ask that all receipts be submitted by 12 September 2024, if you have not provided yours then please send them in now. Failure to do so will affect future applications. Remember Unused money needs to be returned on our secure payments page. Select 'other payments', then 'Short Breaks', 'Short Breaks Repayment' from the drop down menus. Failure to do so will impact on future applications.

Further information

The grant offer has been co-produced with the Stockton Parent Carer Forum and you can contact them via telephone 07985 245668 or info@stocktonparentcarerforum.co.uk.

Visit the legislation.gov.uk website for further information about short breaks for carers of disabled children which can be found under The Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011.