Barriers

• Of those not currently using the short breaks service, 15% have tried to access it
• 22% of those with an EHCP have tried to access it compared with 8% trying to access them who do not have an EHCP
• The main reasons given for not trying to access the short breaks service are not being aware of it (58%) and not knowing how to access it (26%)

This chart shows that:
15% of those not currently using a short breaks service in the 2023 sample have tried to access a short breaks service, 85% have not tried to access a short breaks service
19% of those not currently using a short breaks service in the 2021 sample have tried to access a short breaks service, 81% have not tried to access a short breaks service

This chart shows that:
8% of those without an EHCP (and not currently using a short breaks service) have tried to access a short breaks service, and 92% of those without an EHCP have not tried to access a short breaks service
22% of those with an EHCP (and not currently using a short breaks service) have tried to access a short breaks service, and 78% of those with an EHCP have not tried to access a short breaks service

This chart shows that:
58% of parents/carers who say that they have never used or tried to use any type of short breaks service didn’t know about it
26% of parents/carers don’t know how to access it
13% of parents/carers think the short breaks service is unsuitable or that they don’t need it
12% of parents/carers think that they are not eligible for the short breaks service
15% of parents/carers have a different reason for not using the short breaks service

This table shows the other reasons why respondents have never used or tried to access a short break service. They are: Doubts about being eligible, Application delays, Child unwilling e.g. social anxiety and having no EHCP.