Home / Health / Council Cuts Funding, Ending Vital Respite Breaks for Disabled Children
Council Cuts Funding, Ending Vital Respite Breaks for Disabled Children
5 Dec
Summary
- Charity ASAS faces funding cuts, ending 22 years of respite breaks.
- Leeds City Council shifts focus to regular, accessible, locally delivered services.
- Families fear a significant negative impact on children with complex needs.
A cherished 22-year tradition of providing respite breaks for children with disabilities in West Yorkshire is ending. Aireborough Supported Activities Scheme (ASAS), which offered residential breaks for young people with complex health conditions and special educational needs, has had its council funding significantly reduced. This change means the discontinuation of these essential services.
Leeds City Council stated its decision follows a review aimed at refocusing resources on more frequent, accessible, and locally delivered support. The council is introducing a new model prioritizing shorter, more frequent sessions closer to home. While the council acknowledges the value of ASAS's past work, the immediate impact is the loss of overnight respite for many.
Families express deep concern over the 'knock-on effect' this will have. For children like Laurie, who has autism and severe learning disabilities, ASAS provided specialized care unavailable elsewhere. The breaks also offered crucial recovery time for parents and siblings, who find the demands of caregiving mentally draining. ASAS's funding for activity days continues until March 2026, but their final respite weekend is in jeopardy without new funding.
