Ten new local authority areas are set to receive up to £1m each to help families with children with special educational needs take short breaks.

The Government’s short breaks scheme gives disabled children a chance to take part in activities and develop vitals skills, while giving their families a break from their caring responsibilities.

The three-year £30m Short Breaks Innovation Fund, which is in the second year, provides councils with up to £1m each for a year to work with families to develop innovative experiences for children with disabilities, as well as covering the costs of providing the activities.

Minister for children, families and wellbeing, Claire Coutinho said: ‘Short breaks provide much-needed support to disabled children and their families. They give children opportunities to make friends, learn something new and work towards greater independence, while allowing parents the all-important time they need to recharge.

‘We’ve already seen the transformative impact these new approaches to short breaks are having on children and their families, and I am looking forward to continuing this work, extending it to more parts of the country so even more children can benefit.’

Dame Christine Lenehan, director of Council for Disabled Children said: ‘I am delighted with the Government’s recognition of the value of short breaks to both disabled children and their families.

‘We have seen some really exciting developments in Year one of the programme and look forward to seeing what these 10 authorities can deliver.

‘We are keen that the transferrable learning from these innovative projects is shared as widely as possible to ensure children and young people across the country can benefit.’

The councils who will receive new funding this year as part of the second year of the programme, including the 10 new council areas, are:

• Bristol City Council

• Cambridgeshire County Council

• Camden Council

• Derby City Council

• Norfolk County Council

• Nottingham City

• Plymouth City Council

• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

• Southwark Council

• Suffolk County Council

• Sunderland City Council

• Surrey County Council

• Wakefield Council