New contract for Specialist Holiday Club
Shropshire Council is pleased to announce that Action for Children has been awarded the contract to deliver the Specialist Holiday Club service for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across Shropshire. The new contract will commence on 1 October 2026 and has been awarded for an initial term of three years, providing stability and continuity for children, young people and families accessing the service.
The Holiday Club service provides opportunities for children and young people with SEND, whose needs have been assessed for an allocation of short breaks by the Council’s Disabled Children’s Team, to take part in enjoyable activities during school holidays. The service will support with helping children and young people to socialise, develop confidence and independence, and access experiences that support their wellbeing. The service also provides valuable short breaks and support for parent carers and families.
The new contract has been awarded following a competitive procurement process and will support the continued delivery of high-quality, safe and inclusive holiday activities for eligible children and young people across the county.
Councillor Andy Hall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:
I am delighted that Action for Children will be delivering our Holiday Club. The Holiday Club contract forms an important part of Shropshire Council’s wider short breaks offer, supporting children and young people with SEND to access positive experiences whilst providing families with a break from their caring responsibilities.
Provider
Action for Children has extensive experience of delivering services for children and young people with SEND in Shropshire and will build on existing relationships with children, families and local partners. The service will continue to focus on providing a range of activities and opportunities that meet the diverse needs of children and young people. Action for Children already delivers Shropshire’s Community Short Breaks service, following the award of that contract on 1 April 2026. This means many families will continue working with a provider they already know and trust, helping to provide consistency and familiarity across both services.
Delivery Changes
As part of the new contract arrangements, the age range for the Holiday Club service will change from 5-18 years to 8-18 years from 1 October 2026, due to OFSTED requirements. Shropshire Council’s Disabled Children’s Team (DCT), Disabled Children’s Social Care Team (DSCO) and Commissioning Team will work together to identify and explore alternative support and short break arrangements for any children and families affected by this change. Families who may be affected by this change will be contacted directly in due course, and further information will be shared as it becomes available.
After award of the contract and a mobilisation period, it is expected within the new contract that provision will be largely delivered across Shropshire with the flexibility to access community activities outside of area in order to achieve a varied and attractive short breaks holiday club offer.
Places will be allocated fairly, taking into account each child or young person’s individual needs and support requirements. Referrals will primarily come through the Disabled Children’s Team, with at least 75% of places allocated to children and young people with an assessed statutory need, and up to 25% allocated through specialist school referrals where children have a statutory plan. This helps ensure the service is accessible, equitable and responsive to individual needs across Shropshire
Community involvement
Shropshire Council would like to thank PACC (Parent Carer Community) for their valuable involvement throughout the re-commissioning and evaluation process, helping to ensure that the voices of parent carers, children and young people were heard and reflected in the decision-making process.
The service will continue as usual for the October Half Term 2026 holiday period for 8-18 year olds, ensuring as minimal disruption as possible.
For more information go to: Short Breaks for disabled children | Shropshire Council
