The new Circle of Support model
The Circle of Support is the name of the County Council's new approach to Short Breaks. It is being introduced gradually from 1 April 2025.
This page includes information about the Circle of Support, including the following video which explains how it works.
The Circle of Support is split into four sections, each describing a level of support that is available to families. These levels are described below.
Universal
Support to access a range of inclusive services and activities in the community from our list of approved providers. These type of services and activities are available to all children and young people.
Additional
As in the Universal category above with alternative options of:
- Services and activities that are more SEND-friendly from our list of approved providers, or
- Personal Assistant for 104 hours for use throughout the year or 52 hours for use during school holidays only
Complex
As in the Additional category above with alternative options of:
- Specialist services from our list of approved providers, or
- Personal Assistant for up to 208 hours for use throughout the year or 104 hours for use during school holidays only
To access this, the child or young person and their family will currently be receiving social care support or have been within the last 6 months, and/or the child may be attending a complex needs school.
Specialist
As in the Complex category above with alternative options of:
- Personal Assistant hours to meet the assessed need, and/or
- Respite care which could include overnight support following approval at CWD Panel
The child or young person must have a Children with Disabilities (CWD) Social Worker.
Understanding the Circle of Support
The key change, from the old Short Breaks approach, is that we will pay some providers for children's activities/services directly. This is instead of parents/carers finding and paying for activities themselves, using a pre-paid debit card. Using the pre-paid debit card is a form of Direct Payment.
Families already using the service
We'll work with you during your child's next full review to choose activities or services that meet your child's assessed needs and outcomes, looking at our list of approved providers.
This will:
- Allow us to monitor quality
- Help us support staff training
- Help us offer more activities to more families
- Mean we can offer more inclusive activities to children and young people
We will:
- Make these changes gradually
- Not change anything for your child without first agreeing a plan with you
We want to be really clear that these changes do not, in any way, reduce the level of support your child receives. This is unless their needs change and they no longer need the same level of support.
List of approved providers
We want to offer more activities and services to more families and are trying to add more suitable providers to our list.
We will usually organise things for you if we are unable to add a suitable provider to the list and:
We've assessed that your child needs a specific item or a UK-based family holiday to meet their assessed needs and outcomes
Alternatively, we may offer you a pre-paid card for that specific activity, item or UK-based family holiday. You must ensure that you only use the card for the named activity. All receipts for the activity must be uploaded to your EML/PFS account for auditing purposes and we suggest you do this as the spending takes place. If you are unable to produce receipts the offer of a card will be withdrawn.
The Short Breaks team will discuss this with you when setting up or renewing your child's Short Breaks plan. We personalise each child's plan to meet their assessed needs and outcomes. By outcome, we mean the positive change that you want to achieve from their Short Breaks activities and services.
Frequently asked questions
Can we still use our current providers if they're not on the approved list?
If an activity or service needed to meet your child's identified needs and outcomes isn't currently on the list of approved providers, our Short Breaks Inclusion Coordinators will contact the organisation to ask if they want to become an approved provider.
If a specific item or a UK-based family holiday, is needed to meet your child's needs and outcomes, then the Short Breaks team will organise this for you. By outcome, we mean the positive change you want to achieve from having a Short Break.
If none of the above is possible, or if there are no suitable activities or services on the list of approved providers, the Short Breaks team may offer you a pre-paid card for that specific activity, item, or UK-based family holiday.
The team will discuss this with you when setting up your child's Short Breaks plan. Each child's plan will be tailored to meet their needs and outcomes.
Will there be flexibility for children whose needs mean they benefit from activities that are not planned in advance?
The Circle of Support includes options such as seasonal and annual passes, which offer flexibility for families who need to make decisions at short notice. Some of the approved providers also offer flexibility in terms of when and where families attend their sessions.
How do we get a provider added to the list of approved providers?
If an activity or service needed to meet your child's needs and outcomes isn't currently on the list of approved providers, then please email us at [email protected] with the details. We'll contact the organisation to ask if they wish to become an approved provider.
How will you ensure approved providers are available throughout Norfolk, including rural areas with fewer services?
We're approaching organisations providing activities and services across Norfolk, including in rural areas. If there are activities or services in your local areas that you'd like to see on the list of approved providers, please tell us by emailing: [email protected]
Can Short Breaks be used during school hours, especially for home-educated children?
Short Breaks are leisure and social activities, that normally take place outside of school hours. They can be provided during school hours when a child's assessed need identifies the specified activity can only take place in school hours and it is confirmed this will not impact on the child accessing their full education entitlement.
Short Breaks may also take place during school times if your young person is in a further education placement that is less than five days a week, and it is agreed as part of their Short Breaks Plan.
What happens if my child can't or won't use the approved providers?
To help families decide if an activity or service is right for their child, where possible, approved providers will offer families a free taster session or a site visit to meet the staff. Families can visit or try different activities to make a good decision find the right activity.
Can I change my plan if my child does not like the activity any longer?
No. There is high demand for Short Breaks and unfortunately, we're unable to make any changes to your child's plan unless there's a significant change in their needs.
Will seasonal or annual passes and UK-based holidays still be allowed under the Circle of Support?
Yes. If seasonal passes, annual passes, or UK-based holidays are needed to meet your child's needs and outcomes, they can still be included in your child's Short Breaks plan.
Will UK-based holidays, toys and play equipment still be allowed under the Circle of Support?
Yes. If a UK-based holiday or specific items like toys and play equipment are needed to meet your child's needs and outcomes, then the Short Breaks team will organise this for you. (By outcomes, we mean the positive change you want to achieve from the Short Break.) The team is also able to signpost you to charities that support with these.
What training will providers receive, and will it cover specific needs like Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?
We're providing free training for approved providers so they can better support children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). This includes training in mental health, autism awareness, reasonable adjustments, and understanding behaviours.
Following feedback from parent carers, we're also developing training on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) awareness. We're unable to provide training to cover every child's needs, but where a training need is identified, we'll look to meet this.
What evidence is needed for home-educated children to apply?
You'll need to provide two detailed assessment reports from health, social care, or education professionals who have recently worked with your child, and one document showing your child's educational needs. All evidence must be as recent as possible, ideally dated within the last 12 months. It must show the impact that your child's disability has on their everyday life and family life. The list of evidence that can be provided can be found on our Short Breaks webpages: Who can get Short Breaks and how to apply
I'm concerned my child will receive less of a service under the new Circle of Support?
The Circle of Support does not reduce the level of support your child or young person receives, unless there's been a significant change in their needs since they were last reviewed. It's designed to meet their level of need and outcomes. (By outcome, we mean the positive difference you want to achieve from Short Breaks). Any changes to your child's plan will be discussed with you during their review. No changes will be made without your agreement.
Is there a website or resource for providers to learn how to join the approved list?
We'll be putting information about how to become an approved provider on our Short Breaks webpages. In the meantime, providers can contact us for more information by emailing: [email protected]
Has the eligibility criteria for Short Breaks changed?
No. The eligibility criteria has not changed. You can find the eligibility criteria on our Short Breaks webpages: Who can get Short Breaks and how to apply
Does my child need a new assessment by a Children with Disabilities (CWD) Social Worker to keep receiving Specialist level support, if they no longer have a CWD Social Worker?
When a child closes to the CWD Social Work team, the Short Breaks Team will continue to provide their Short Breaks. When your child's plan is renewed, the team will discuss your child's needs and how they impact on everyday life, to determine if they still need the same level of support.
My child's school has changed since we applied for Short Breaks. Will this affect their Circle of Support level, and should I tell the Short Breaks team?
You do not need to tell the Short Breaks team if your child's school setting changes.
When your child's plan is renewed, the team will discuss your child's needs and how they impact on everyday life, to determine if they still need the same level of support.
Will any unused sessions or money on a pre-paid card be rolled over to next year?
No. All Short Breaks activities must take place within the start and end dates in your child's current Short Breaks plan. Any unused sessions or money on a pre-paid debit card cannot be rolled over to next year.
How long can I keep my pre-paid debit card for?
Your pre-paid debit card will remain in place until the end date on your child's Short Breaks plan and will be reviewed when it is due to be renewed.
