Targeted Short Breaks (TSB) allowance scheme for SEND children
Our targeted short breaks allowance scheme is aimed at children with special educational needs and disabilities who require extra support to take part in leisure activities out in the community whilst giving their main carer/s a short break.
The funding will be uploaded directly on to a pre-paid card which can be used to pay for activities using a card machine or when booking online.
Who can apply?
If your child is aged 4 to 17 and has an Educational and Health Care Plan (EHC Plan) which shows that they are on Special Educational Needs (SEN) Tariff D or above, your child is automatically eligible for TSB allowance. You can apply online and a card will be sent out and funding loaded onto it.
If your child is aged 0-17 and does not have an EHC Plan or does but is on tariff A to C and you feel they need extra support to take part in activities in the community while giving you a short break, you are still able to apply for the TSB allowance as a special circumstance.
You will need to complete the online application and indicate which parts of the special circumstance criteria applies to your child and attach the evidence required.
A Short Breaks Resource Panel will look at these applications and make a decision based on the evidence submitted. You will be informed of a decision promptly.
Apply for the TSB allowance
Apply online for the 2025-26 TSB allowance
What the allowance can be used for
The TSB allowance is to help children with special educational needs and disabilities to take part in leisure activities while allowing the person/s that care for them to have a short break.
It can be spent on a wide range of things. Read more about what the TSB allowance can and cannot be used for.
Spend is monitored and audited so we ask that you keep hold of receipts and proof of purchase for audit purposes.
Special circumstances criteria
| Special circumstances criteria | Evidence to be provided |
|---|---|
| Receives Early Years Inclusion support or attends a special school or independent school. | Evidence of the Early Years Inclusion support package or name of the school. |
| Child or young person with SEND and is open to the Children with Disabilities team. | Social worker or Family support worker's name. |
| Has a diagnosed medical condition that requires someone with specialist training (not including Epi-pens) to be available. | Details of the medical condition and specialist training required; including how often this support is required. |
| School, Consultant or other health professional has advised that the child is unable to access a universal or community activity without additional support. | Copy of a signed letter or email from the professional that states this. |
| Child's EHCP states that they have behaviour that challenges and requires 1:1 support at all times within school. | Copy of the letter. |
| Child is in receipt of middle or higher rate disability living allowance (DLA) or any personal independence payment (PIP). | Copy of the awarding letter. |
Parents whose child or young person is in residential school placements of 38 weeks can apply, but if their application is agreed they will receive a reduced entitlement as leisure and social opportunities will already be provided as part of their funded placement.
Appeals
If your application is not agreed and you would like to appeal the decision, our appeals process is:
- Short Breaks Resource Panel consider applications against the criteria, based on the information provided by the parent on application.
- Short Breaks Team informs parent reason(s) their application was not agreed.
- Parent has option to submit additional supporting evidence based on the feedback and reasons given.
- Parent informed of Short Breaks Resource Panel's decision based on the additional information and have the option for Parent Carer Voice to review the application.
Fraud prevention privacy notice
If you apply for the TSB allowance, the personal information we collect from you will be shared with fraud prevention agencies who will use it to prevent fraud and money-laundering and to verify your identity. If fraud is detected, you could be refused certain services, finance, or employment. View further details of how your information will be used by us and these fraud prevention agencies, and your data protection rights, on our Fraud prevention privacy notice.