Short Breaks Team Interim Update January 2021 – use of existing funds in Short Break pre-paid accounts
It has been agreed from April 2021 that all children accessing Short Breaks will be able to use a maximum of £250 each year for toys and play equipment as long as this is recorded on their Short Break plan. This will be available to every child each year and is a new long-term offer from Short Breaks.
For those families who currently have a pre-paid card and have not already used any funds for toys, or only used a small amount of money to date, we are offering the opportunity to use any remaining funds in their account which were agreed for activities, days out, etc. up to the same original limit of £500.
For those families who currently have a pre-paid card and their child’s Short Break plan ends before 31/3/2020, who still have money in their account for activities (not for a PA) but are no longer able to use this due to the new restrictions announced on 04/01/2021, it has been agreed that they can spend up to a further £250 on toys and play equipment. This will apply even if the family has already spent £500. This is only available to families where the end date of the current Short Break plan is before 31/03/2021.
Families can purchase toys and play equipment directly themselves using their pre-paid card and should upload the receipts to their PFS accounts, which will be audited by the Short Breaks team as usual. Guidance around uploading the receipts is available on request from the Short Breaks team
NB For new families applying for Short Breaks from 1 January 2021, we will offer the opportunity to allocate £250 for toys and equipment from the start date of their plan rather than waiting for April 2021.
If your child has Short Breaks but your circumstances are not covered above, please contact the Short Breaks team at c.s.shortbreaks@norfolk for further advice and information.