ACCESS TO SHORT BREAKS

Early day motion 39, tabled 23 November 2004 by Crispin Blunt (Conservative). Signed by 67 members.

That this House believes that children who have multiple disabilities and complex health needs and their families have a need for short breaks either in the family home or in specialist residential settings; recognises the intense pressure placed on so many families who provide 24 hour care to children and young people with multiple disabilities; urges local authorities to ensure that such breaks are in adequate supply to meet the needs of the thousands of families and children who require such support; applauds the aims of the awareness campaign, Give us a Break!, set up by the Children's Trust, Tadworth, to highlight the need for short breaks in the UK; is encouraged by the reference to the need for short breaks in the recent National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services; and calls on the Government to fully consider how such breaks should be funded in the future.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 21, Conservative 19, Labour 18, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 3, Independent 1, UUP 1.