Ashgate Specialist Support SchoolBenefits, Short Breaks and funding
Manchester Short Breaks Services Statement
Short Breaks form part of a range of services, which support parents and carers of disable children and their families to continue to provide care or to do so more effectively. Short Breaks are provided to give:
• Children and young people with a disability enjoyable experiences away from their primary carers, thereby contributing to their personal and social development and reducing social isolation.
• Parents, carers and families a necessary and valuable break from caring responsibilities.
They can take the form of one of the following:
A befriending service - these services can include day-time, evening, overnight and weekend activities and can take place in the child’s own home, the home of an approved carer, a residential or community setting. They come in a range of formats and each one can last just a few hours to a few days, and occasionally longer, depending on the type of provision and the needs of the child, the carer and their family.
Summer Playscheme - there is a 2 week Playscheme at Ashgate each year.
Direct Payment - this is a payment made once a year to parents/carers if you feel that neither of the options above are suitable for you and your child. You will need to provide receipts for your expenditure and apply each year if you choose this option.
All of the above are subject to funding each year.
Please click here to take you to Manchester City Council's page for further information.
If you would like a referral to the Short Breaks Team please contact the team nearest you and someone will come out to visit you to assess your needs and advise you further.
Concessionary Travel Pass for Sensory Impairment/Learning Disabilities
Children with learning difficulties can obtain a travel pass for Greater Manchester Transport - please contact school if you would like a form to apply for this, or use the link below for an online application. Once you receive the form you need to complete it and return to school with a passport sized photo attached. We will then send it to the Statutory Assessment Team to verify.
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who:
is under 16
has difficulties walking or needs more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability
They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements.
The DLA rates are between £24.45 and £92.40 per week for the care component and £24.45 and £64.50 motability componant.
For further information and to obtain a form please visit
The staff at Lifted can help you fill in your application.
Family Grants and Funding
Family Fund and New LIfe aims are to support families with grants that will make a real difference, they provide funding for a wide range of items. Please check out their websites for more information. If you need any help with your application please contact school and we will gladly help you.