Play & Care is a 1-to-1 service that offers short breaks for Camden-based children and young people with disabilities, aged 5 to 17. The service is designed to give children and young people exciting new experiences in a safe and nurturing environment, while giving their parents and carers a break.
Our staff are caring, highly experienced and qualified. Each team member has an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and has completed a comprehensive training programme, which covers safeguarding, working with parents/carers, disability awareness, manual handling, managing challenging behaviour, alternative communication techniques and personal care.
What support is available?
A wide range of activities is available and includes personal, social, emotional and intellectual care. The service is primarily focused on play opportunities, including:
- Sensory play
- Arts and crafts
- Physical play
- Visits to places of interest
How to make a referral
Places at our Play and Care Service are allocated to eligible parents by Camden’s Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS) following a Short Breaks Panel meeting.
In order to apply for Short Breaks, you will need to fill in a Self-Assessment Referral Tool (SART) Form (a professional such as a social worker, health professional or school SENCo can help you with this if required). You should then send the completed form, alongside an annual review/clinical letter from a health professional or school, to sart@camden.gov.uk. Once Camden Council has received your SART form, they will consider your eligibility for Short Breaks. This will include liaising with the professionals stated on the form.
If you are already confirmed as eligible for Short Breaks and are interested in accessing our services, please speak to your allocated social worker or the Camden CYPDS Duty Officer.
If you would like help with the referral process or a consultation regarding your child’s needs and eligibility, call the Camden CYPDS Duty Officer:
Tel: 0207 974 3597
Email: dutydct@camden.gov.uk
If you are referred to our service, we will then discuss the needs of your child or young person with you and your referring social worker and arrange for the service to start.
We assign places at our Play and Care Service through referrals from Camden’s Short Breaks Services.
Referring professionals can help parents complete a Self-Assessment Referral Tool (SART) Form and send the form alongside an existing report/annual review and a functional needs assessment to sart@camden.gov.uk.
For a consultation regarding the child / young person’s needs and eligibility, call the Camden Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS) Duty Officer:
Tel: 0207 974 3597
Email: dutydct@camden.gov.uk
Places will then be allocated at Short Breaks Panel based on the child or young person meeting the CYPDS eligibility criteria, an assessment being completed by a social worker/short breaks assessor, and an identified need being included within the Short Breaks Care Plan.
Once a space has been allocated at Short Breaks Panel, referring professionals should then contact Glenys James at g.james@paceforall.com or call 07485 356 017 to discuss eligibility for referral and availability of space on the project.
Once this has been confirmed, please complete our referral form.
Contact Us
Phone: 020 7183 5120 ext. 0899