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Written question asked by Sarah Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 June 2026. It was answered by Georgia Gould (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Special Educational Needs: Respite Care

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make Breaktime Plus more accessible to people; and if she will publish guidance on the running of Breaktime Plus.

Answer

Breaktime Plus is a short breaks programme run by Lancashire County Council. Local authorities have a duty to publish their own short breaks offer, and the government has supported them in this by publishing the lessons learned from the Short Breaks Innovation Programme in February 2026. This report includes a range of approaches to improving the effectiveness, accessibility and efficiency of short breaks provision.

The government is also carefully considering the recommendations made by the Law Commission in its September 2025 report on disabled children's social care. The Commission highlighted the importance of short breaks as a key form of support for disabled children and their families. Ministers are considering the Commission's findings and recommendations and intend to publish the government's response in the autumn.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
12573
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Special educational needs Respite care
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk