Short breaks day activities grants

We offered grants to groups who provide short break day activities to help disabled children to play, learn, and enjoy time with others.

This is a 2-year grant programme. With an optional extension period of 12 months.

We were looking for imaginative and creative projects which aim to support families to build positive, challenging, engaging and developmental experiences for their child while also allowing parents and carers to pursue other activities or simply take a break.

Your programme of activities should:

• support the needs of those parents and carers who would be unable to continue to care, or care more effectively, unless breaks from caring were available to them
• ensure disabled children are supported to optimise their physical and emotional wellbeing whilst having fun, being safe and having opportunities to develop new skills to support independence within their local community
• ensure children have better physical and mental health
• enable children to be confident and learn transferrable skills through the activities provided
• optimise the use of venues available to provide inclusive activities for children aged 5 to 18 years, including the use of local school buildings where appropriate.
• ensure all funded activities are shaped by direct input from children aged 5 to18 years through regular consultation, feedback mechanisms and co-production opportunities
• ensure all activities and staff development are aligned with identified local needs to ensure accessibility, inclusivity and relevance for families in the area.

For any questions email commissioningfordisabledchildren@kent.gov.uk .

Read our full prospectus (PDF, 396.1 KB).

Application guidance

Who could apply

To apply, your organisation must be either a:

• registered charity
• voluntary or community organisation
• company limited by guarantee
• Community Interest Company
• social enterprise
• Parent Teacher Friends Association.

We welcomed applications from all 12 districts in Kent.

And must support disabled children who:

• have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010
• have additional needs who need help to take part in leisure and recreation activities
• are aged 5 to 18-years-old
• live in the Kent County Council area.

Apply

Applications closed at midday on 30 November 2025.

Read our application guidance (PDF, 1.7 MB) (the eligibility criteria for the Strengthening Independence Service is in Appendix 1).

After you apply

A panel will look at your application and judge it based on specific criteria. They will look for:

• value for money
• sustainability
• social value
• the voice of children in the development of activities.

If you are successful, we'll contact you by 31 January 2026. Grants will begin on 1 April.