Summer holiday respite provision for the families of children and young people with learning disabilities

While the provision of respite care is a relatively recent development in the provision of services to families, it is an area of considerable growth and apparent importance. Most service development and research has focused on the provision of residential or family-based respite care though some studies have commented on the apparent demand for other kinds of relief. This study describes a pilot summer playscheme for children with learning disabilities and the reactions of mothers to its provision. The characteristics of families who used the scheme are described and their felt needs for additional respite care explored. Mothers found the scheme very useful and expressed felt needs for substantially more such provision both during the summer and at other times. The findings are discussed in the context of the importance of developing respite services which meet the varied needs of families.