A support service for Adults & Children with learning disabilities, living in the City of Nottingham
or surrounding County Boroughs (Gedling, Rushcliffe & Broxtowe)

Services Available:







A key element of the scheme is flexibility and understanding the priorities related to age, level
of learning disability, carer needs and transition into adulthood.  The growing importance of
'Direct Payments' and 'Individualised Budgets' is recognised, and the funding structures for the  
service are tailored appropriately.  The services can contribute to the development of
individualised 'Person Centred Plans'

Nottingham Mencap is a local registered charity (1046081), and is registered by CQC
Specialist Services for children and adults
with learning disabilities

  •        Sitting Service - Children & Adults aged 5 upwards
  •        Befriending Service - Children & Adults aged 8 upwards
  •        Transition Support  - Young Adults aged 16 - 24 years
  •        Lifestyle Support - Adults 25+



Nottingham Mencap is a local independent voluntary organisation and registered charity that
has been established for over 50 years.  Our mission statement is:

"To identify needs and work to enhance the quality of life of all those with a learning disability,
and their carers, in the Greater Nottingham area.  The society is committed to delivering a
comprehensive support function that is sensitive and appropriate and will work collaboratively
to improve choice and inclusion in to the community of all those it seeks to serve."





Nottingham Mencap's Short Breaks Services was established in 1974 to provide parents and
carers with a break.

In 2004 the service became registered with CQC (the Care Quality Commission) as a provider
for domiciliary care services for both children and adults with learning disabilities.

In 2007 the service changed its focus to reflect the importance of a more personalised approach
and in particular, reflect the priorities identified in the 'Valuing People' and 'Our Health, Our
Care, Our Say' white papers.  To meet these criteria, the service changed its name to 'Short
Breaks Service.'

The Short Breaks Services are currently working with 30 families with further capacity for its
service delivery.






The Short Breaks Service provides support for children in their own home for a few hours at a
time, whilst their parents/carers have a break.  Support in the Sitting Service can be defined as
home based activities or the more traditional evening bedtime routine support whilst the
parents/carers go out in the evenings.




The Befriending Service aims to provide support enabling children with a learning disability,
aged 8-18 years old, to access recreational and leisure activities.  In addition to offering respite
for parents/carers this service enables children to gain basic life skills thus building
self-confidence and self-esteem.











Contact: Short Breaks Office 0115 920 4433
email: shortbreaks@positivefutures.org
  • In the Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe areas a basic 8 hour per month service is funded
    by the County Council.  Referrals are taken from Social Service Disabled Children's Team
    Workers.  Please contact your County Disabled Children's Team.
  • In the City area there is no funding arrangement with the Council.  The service is
    available with clients funding the service privately or by arrangement with Social
  • Services.  Please contact us if you wish to discuss this option.
  • Both services available from 9am to midnight every day of the week except bank holidays.
  • We Do Not offer support with medication.







The Short Breaks Service provides support for adults in their own home for a few hours at a
time, whilst their parent/carers have a break.  Support in the Sitting Service can be defined as
home based activities or the more traditional evenings bedtime routine support whilst the
parents/carers go out in the evenings.



The Befriending Service aims to provide support enabling adults with a learning disability to
access recreational and leisure activities.  In addition to offering respite for parents/carers this
service enables adults to gain basic life skills thus building self-confidence and self-esteem.

Both services:

Accept referrals through Adults Services Workers i.e. Social Workers, Community
Care Officers etc for the County funded 8 hour per month service and from clients
and their families for the privately funded service.

           Are available from 9am to midnight every day of the week except bank holidays.

    We Do Not offer support with medication

Contact: Short Breaks Office 0115 920 4433
Email: shortbreaks@positivefutures.org
Short Breaks Services
Nottingham Mencap Short Breaks Services
A Short History of the Service
Services for Children with a Learning Disability

Sitting Service - ages 5 to 19
Befriending Service - ages 8 to 19
Services for Adults with a Learning Disability

Sitting Service - ages 18+
Befriending Service - ages 18+





This is a tailor made service which supports people with a learning disability aged 16-24 during
their transition from Children services to Adult services.
This scheme offers specific task orientated support to achieve goals that have been identified
through person centred planning.
Our trained workers support young adults, moving through the transition stage, to achieve new
skills e.g. to live independently, build on independent travel or financial skills in the community,
to change educational establishments or to develop new hobbies and leisure interests etc.
Workers link closely with professionals from other disciplines to build on the young persons
skills on their path to achievement.




This service provides real opportunities for Service Users to practice independent living skills or
leisure activities in their own home and local community.
As a result of this the Service Users are supported to overcome social exclusion and become
more confident, learning skills to increase their opportunities for further education, employment
or future volunteering roles.  In addition, families and carers receive a respite care provision

These services:

  •        Accept referrals from Social Services (Adults and Children's departments) and Health
Service Workers.  The package provided is dependent on the needs of the individual
and an agreed funding package.  Self-referrals are accepted from Service Users, or
their families often these are funded via Direct Payments.
  •        Are available from 9am to midnight every day of the week except bank holidays.
  •        Do not offer support with medication.

Contact:  Short Breaks Office 0115 920 4433
Email:  shortbreaks@positivefutures.org
Transition Support
Young Adults aged 16 - 24 years
Lifestyle Support ages 25 + years
Education
& Training
Leisure
& Respite
Social Inclusion,
Health  &
Wellbeing
Other Interests
SHORT BREAKS SERVICES
Lifestyle Choices
Learning and Leisure Opportunities
Site visits

Application forms for
Sitting and Befriending Service

Click
HERE for CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE

Click
HERE for ADULTS

The forms are in PDF format.
Print them off, complete them, and post
them back to us.
This site contains downloads in
PDF format. To view files in
this format you need Adobe
Reader. If you do not already
have this software , you can
download it for free by clicking
the picture below
You can save PDF files on your
computer and e-mail them to
others