Fourteen Short Breaks providers come together to strengthen support for SEND families in Harrow.

The session was facilitated by Young Harrow Foundation in partnership with Harrow Council, as part of the ongoing expansion of the borough's Short Breaks programme, which now covers a broad range of activities including sports, arts, social clubs, and holiday provision. With more providers now delivering across Harrow than ever before, the focus is on growth and how well the system works for the families using it.

Build connections

The CYAD team plays a key role in connecting families to Short Breaks provision. The session gave each provider the opportunity to present their offer directly, sharing the activities they deliver and the thinking behind them, from community trips and social clubs to programmes focused on independence and life skills. It also gave the CYAD team space to ask questions, build relationships, and develop a clearer understanding of what is available across the borough.

More choice for families

The expansion of the Short Breaks offer means families in Harrow now have greater choice in the support they can access, with fourteen providers offering a range of activities that families can match to their child's needs and interests.

A new delivery model in specialist schools

Alongside the wider programme, a new delivery model is being piloted in Harrow’s specialist schools. Working in partnership with Action on Disability, this approach brings Short Breaks provision directly into school settings, recognising that many families have strong, trusted relationships with schools and may find this a more accessible route to support. The pilot, developed with Harrow Council and supported by John Lyon’s Charity, was designed to introduce new capacity into the borough by bringing in organisations beyond Harrow’s existing provider base. Following an open expression-of-interest process, Action on Disability was commissioned as the lead delivery partner. Provision is now embedded at Shaftesbury High School, with expansion underway to Kingsley High School via the local Family Hub. Backed by an initial three-year funding agreement, with a longer-term five-year commitment in place, the model represents a shift towards more trusted, place-based delivery, meeting families where they already are and strengthening access to support.