To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 18330/22-27, when appropriate and consistent access to short break services for people with complex needs will be provided in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, arising from the £13 million investment announced in October 2024.

Following the Minister’s announcement of the additional £2million expenditure in 2024/25, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has submitted a Business Case to the DoH’s Strategic Planning and Performance Group for consideration.

A proposal to fund the staffing model for the Residential Short Breaks Home in Newcastle has been approved. Recruitment will commence within this financial year and consistently delivering this service will be contingent upon successful recruitment of the staff team.

Further developments are being explored to enable the resumption of residential short breaks in Lindsay House, however this may take in the region of six months to come to fruition.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust also delivers community based Short Breaks through the voluntary sector, as well as through the Trust’s own established team. The Trust’s investment proposal aligned to the Trust’s share of the £13m allocation will significantly enhance the community based Short Break provision for children with disability within the South Eastern HSC Trust.