Support for disabled and families

Families with disabled children in Nottingham are getting more support with more than £7m of government cash. The money will be used over the next three years to provide short holidays for the youngsters - also giving their parents or carers a valuable break. It also means community-based services can be implemented more quickly.

Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with the county's two primary care trusts has been selected as one of 21 "pathfinders" nationally. Alison Shield, from Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "It is very important because of the stress that looking after a disabled child can place on an entire family. And so to have a break can actually give families more energy to manage, but also allows disabled children to have a whole range of new opportunities."

The breaks will vary from just a few hours to a weekend or a week and the children or teenagers will be cared for in their own home or given a chance to try out new activities in the wider community.