IMPORTANT UPDATE: SCC’s proposals for Play and Leisure Short Breaks
We want to update you following Surrey County Council’s Play and Leisure Short Breaks consultation process, which ran from 8 December 2025 to 4 March 2026.
The Play & Leisure Short Breaks re-commissioning process included proposals linked to budget pressures and long-term sustainability. As part of wider budget planning for 2026/27, SCC had already identified a proposed saving of £800,000 from the Play & Leisure Short Breaks budget. From December ’25 – March ’26 families were consulted on proposed changes to the scheme and wider delivery model through a survey and engagement sessions overseen by SCC.
In our statement issued on 12 February 2026, Family Voice Surrey highlighted concerns regarding the timing of the process, the proposed reduction in funding, and the quality and accessibility of engagement with parent carers, particularly at a time when demand for support continues to rise. Many families told us they were already unable to access the level of support their child or young person needs and highlighted how critical short breaks provision is to family wellbeing.
We also wanted members to understand that Family Voice Surrey was not involved in the design of the consultation or survey and that we were informed of SCC’s intentions at relatively short notice.
On behalf of parent carers, Family Voice Surrey:
- Raised concerns at the Additional Needs and Disabilities Partnership Board in January 2026 regarding the proposed changes, timing and potential impact on families.
- Attended parent carer information sessions, drop-ins and provider briefings to raise concerns directly and represent the collective views and experiences of parent carers.
- Regularly shared consultation information, surveys and engagement opportunities with members to help ensure families were aware of the process and able to participate.
- Fed back concerns from families that the consultation survey was lengthy, complex and difficult to navigate or fully understand.
- Gathered evidence and feedback from parent carers regarding the importance of short breaks provision and the pressures families are already experiencing.
- Assessed the impact on families of SCC’s proposals following the consultation, informed by the evidence and feedback we had received from parent carers.
- Committed to keeping members updated as information became available throughout the process.
In line with our commitment, we are pleased to share the following update issued on Friday 8 May 2026 by Hayley Maspero, Assistant Director of Transformation for Children’s Social Care, Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, regarding the proposed changes to the Play and Leisure Short Breaks programme.
SCC’s Statement
I wanted to confirm in writing that Surrey County Council (SCC) Cabinet Members have decided that they will not pursue proposals for changes to the Play and Leisure Short Breaks programme, which were planned to go to SCC Cabinet for decision on 26 May 2026. The Short Breaks programme provides educational and leisure activities for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities (AND) while giving parent carers a break from caring.
This decision has been made after very careful consideration of what is best and fairest for the Short Breaks programme, for the families who access it, and for the new authorities who will take over from SCC in April 2027.
With this in mind, the new East and West Surrey authorities will decide whether any proposed future changes to the Short Breaks programme will be considered, once they are established and setting their budgets.
This means that there will be no changes to the Short Breaks programme over the next year. Any proposed changes to the programme put forward by the new authorities, including regarding the proposed saving to be made from the programme, will be further in the future.
The feedback received through the recent public consultation has been extremely valuable. Responses showed broad support for a number of the proposed changes, which were designed to ensure the Short Breaks programme is fair, inclusive and financially sustainable. Proposals that received particular public support include introducing eligibility criteria, applying consistent parent carer charges and concessionary rates, and prioritising the core short breaks offer.
The feedback collected via the consultation will be shared with the future authorities for their consideration. We are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with, share and contribute to the consultation.
We recognise that there may be mixed feelings about this decision. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please contact me directly – Hayley.Maspero@surreycc.gov.uk
Over the coming year, until Vesting Day, SCC will continue to work closely with providers and partners to deliver a Short Breaks programme that has a meaningful and positive impact on children and young people with AND and their families. We will also work closely with the new authorities to ensure a smooth and seamless handover of the programme.
END OF STATEMENT
We recognise families may have mixed feelings and ongoing questions regarding this update and the future of short breaks provision across Surrey. Please share any questions, comments or feedback with us at contact@familyvoicesurrey.org
As always, thank you for your support and engagement.
Family Voice Surrey