Summer holiday Break Time survey 2024
There were 35 responses to the summer holiday Break Time survey 2024 – thank you to everyone who took part.
Surveys are an invaluable way for us to find out what is important to you and how we can continue to develop and improve the Break Time offer to benefit you and your children.
Purpose and method
The survey was for parent carers of children and young people who accessed Break Time activities in July and August 2024.
We asked families to share their experience of using the Break Time services during the six-week summer holiday period.
The survey was designed to help us understand what works well and identify the areas that need improvement.
The survey was available online between 13 September and 6 October 2024. It was a mixture of multiple choice and open-ended questions.
About Break Time
Break Time provides fun group activities for children and young people with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND) while their parents and carers have a short break from their caring role.
Activities take place after school, at weekends and during the school holidays and are delivered by a variety of organisations including schools, Lancashire County Council services and external organisations.
In 2024/25 there are 1,862 Break Time members across Lancashire.
The Survey
We asked:
Did your child or young person use their Break Time hours to access an activity during the summer holidays?
83% of respondents said yes.
14% of respondents said no.
Reasons given for not using included anxiety, late registration, separation anxiety and a lack of local options.
We asked:
If your child enjoyed the Break Time activity.
79% of respondents strongly agreed and 14% tended to agree.
Positive feedback highlighted the supportive and fun environments provided by services like Rainbow Hub and PIP (Play Inclusion Project).
Some parents noted issues with accessibility and the need for more inclusive activities.
We asked:
Did the Break Time activity provider meet the child's personal/specific SEND requirements?
76% of respondents strongly agreed and 24% tended to agree.
Providers were praised for their adaptability, communication, and personalised support.
We asked:
Whilst your child is at their Break Time activity, did you have the opportunity to have a break yourself?
52% of respondents strongly agreed and 31% tended to agree.
Parents used this time for errands, work, or to spend with their other children and family members.
Some felt the hours were insufficient and the timing of sessions was not ideal for working parents.
We asked:
We asked: When your child attends an activity do you believe it benefits the whole family?
69% of respondents strongly agreed and 17% tended to agree.
It provided opportunities for parents to spend quality time with other children and manage household tasks, knowing their child with SEND is safe and happy.
Suggestions for improvement
Provide more local and varied activities, for example groups for neurodiverse young people, those with anxiety and for teenagers.
Improve accessibility and support for children with higher needs.
Increase the number of allocated hours.
Extend the hours of operation to better accommodate working parents.
Next steps
We are introducing more targeted activities for teenagers, neurodiverse children and those who need support with their mental health.
We are working with providers to better meet the needs of children that have additional medical, personal care or other needs.
We are working to increase the wider offer of leisure activities and other opportunities available for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire.
We will work with the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) Team and Childcare Team to look at ways we can support parents with childcare.
Get involved
We want to make sure that Short Breaks really work well for children, young people and their families in Lancashire.
We'd like to hear from even more of you and encourage you to leave your Short Breaks feedback. Your views, comments and thoughts are important to us so we can make sure we get this right.
If you provide short breaks and fun activities to children, and are interested in delivering Short Breaks activities, please contact us at cyp-shortbreaks@lancashire.gov.uk