Supported Access & Short Breaks
Helping people access meaningful activities, experiences and opportunities through supported access and short breaks that support family flexibility and wellbeing.
Helping people access meaningful activities, experiences and opportunities
Supported access and short breaks are about helping people take part in meaningful activities, experiences and opportunities in a way that feels safe, planned and achievable.
For some people, accessing a club, activity, course, community space, holiday scheme, wellbeing opportunity or wider experience is not straightforward. They may need familiar support, communication help, sensory planning, preparation, transition support, emotional regulation support, or a flexible approach that responds to how they are on the day.
TishAbility supports access to recreational, social, learning, wellbeing and community-based opportunities as part of a wider person-centred support arrangement.
For some people, getting to and from an activity is part of making participation possible. TishAbility can support travel where it forms part of a wider person-centred support arrangement, helping people access activities, wellbeing opportunities, therapeutic settings, family life and everyday experiences.
The focus is not transport. The focus is enabling the person to access meaningful places and opportunities in a way that feels safe, predictable and achievable.
This is not a standalone taxi or private hire service.
Supported access activities
We may support access to:
- • Clubs and hobby groups, including sports, arts, music and special interest groups
- • Courses and informal learning opportunities
- • Recreational and leisure activities
- • Social and friendship-building opportunities
- • Volunteering-style or work experience opportunities
- • Holiday and seasonal activity schemes
- • Wellbeing and therapeutic activity settings led by other providers
- • Community spaces, parks, cafés, libraries and local activities
- • Family activities and shared experiences
- • Activities that support communication, confidence, regulation and participation
Our aim is to help people access opportunities that are meaningful to them, not simply to fill time.
Short breaks and flexible support
Short breaks can support both the person and their family.
They may give the person opportunities to enjoy meaningful activities, build confidence, practise life skills, develop communication, experience different environments and take part in community life.
They may also give parents and carers time to rest, attend to other responsibilities, spend time with siblings or simply pause from the intensity of daily caring responsibilities.
TishAbility's approach is flexible and person-centred. We recognise that a planned activity may not always be accessible on the day. A person's sensory needs, communication, emotional regulation, health, anxiety, energy levels or preferences may change.
We do not force rigid participation where this would be distressing or unsafe. We support preparation, pacing, processing time and gentle engagement. Where needed, we adapt the plan so that support remains respectful, meaningful and safe.
What flexible short breaks may include
TishAbility may support:
- • Regular weekly or fortnightly access to community activities, clubs, hobby groups, wellbeing sessions or activity schemes
- • Access to holiday clubs or seasonal activity schemes where support is needed to make participation possible
- • Flexible breaks shaped around the person's needs, routines, presentation, interests and environment
- • Community-based breaks within the person's local area
- • Supported access to activities nationally or abroad where this is clearly linked to agreed outcomes and remains within TishAbility's non-regulated remit
- • Supported transitions to and from activities where this forms part of accessing the opportunity
- • Activities based on individual interests, strengths, communication needs and preferences
- • Social and recreational opportunities linked to the person's routines and lifestyle
- • Wellbeing and therapeutic activity access led by other providers
- • Family-linked activities where shared participation is important
- • Short breaks that support confidence, regulation, communication, life skills and community inclusion
The support is shaped around the person, their family, their environment and what is achievable at that time.
Supported holidays and wider experiences
TishAbility recognises that many families want support to access holidays, short breaks and meaningful experiences together.
For some families, a break is not just about time away. It may be about connection, wellbeing, family inclusion, sensory regulation, confidence, outdoor learning, shared memories and access to opportunities that would otherwise feel impossible.
Some services focus only on the person being away from home. TishAbility also recognises that some families want to remain connected and experience important moments together, with practical support around the person's access, transitions, routines and participation.
TishAbility may support access to holidays or wider experiences locally, nationally or internationally where this is clearly linked to agreed outcomes and remains within our non-regulated remit.
This support is about enabling participation, connection, learning and wellbeing. It is not clinical care, regulated personal care, nursing care, or a standalone travel or transport service.
Important: Where a person requires regulated care, nursing care or clinical treatment during a short break or holiday, this must be provided by an appropriately registered provider or qualified professional.
Support before, during and after the activity
For many people, successful access depends on what happens before and after the activity, not just during it.
TishAbility may support with:
- • Preparation before leaving home
- • Communication and visual support
- • Sensory planning
- • Understanding expectations
- • Pacing and processing time
- • Transition support
- • Emotional regulation support
- • Support during the activity
- • Safe return and settling afterwards
- • Reflection on what worked
- • Planning for future access
This helps activities become more predictable, meaningful and transferable into everyday life.
Communication and choice
TishAbility recognises that communication is central to meaningful participation.
Some people may communicate through speech, behaviour, gestures, facial expression, movement, sensory responses, AAC, visuals, objects, symbols, routines or the people who know them best.
We support communication in everyday settings so the person can express preferences, make choices, understand routines, participate in activities and have their voice respected.
Where communication approaches have been recommended by professionals, we can help support their use during activities, transitions, community access and short breaks.
Behaviour, regulation and flexible planning
Some people may express distress, anxiety, overwhelm, frustration, pain or unmet needs through behaviour that others may find challenging.
TishAbility approaches behaviour with curiosity, respect and dignity.
We consider what the behaviour may be communicating, what helps the person feel safe, what changes may be needed in the environment, and how support can be adapted.
Where Positive Behaviour Support plans, behaviour support guidance or professional recommendations are already in place, TishAbility can help support their practical use in everyday environments.
We do not replace psychologists, behaviour specialists, clinicians or statutory professionals. Our role is to help agreed approaches become practical, respectful and consistent in real life.
Safe staffing and individual planning
Safe support depends on the person, the activity, the environment and the level of need.
Staffing arrangements should be planned around the person's communication, sensory needs, health considerations, emotional regulation, behavioural presentation, transition needs, activity setting, professional recommendations and safeguarding considerations.
Some support may be suitable with one familiar worker. Other situations may require additional staffing, specific skills, careful planning or support from other providers.
TishAbility will consider staffing needs proportionately and will not take on support that cannot be delivered safely within its non-regulated remit.
We avoid saying fixed ratios unless they are formally assessed and agreed.
Our approach
We aim to support access in a way that is:
- • Person-centred
- • Communication-aware
- • Sensory-informed
- • Flexible
- • Respectful
- • Safe
- • Outcome-focused
- • Family-aware
- • Guided by the person's preferences
- • Informed by family knowledge and professional recommendations
- • Responsive to the person's needs and environment on the day
The aim is not simply to provide an activity or a break. The aim is to make meaningful participation more possible.
Clear scope
TishAbility provides non-regulated support.
We do not provide:
- • Regulated personal care
- • Nursing care
- • Clinical treatment
- • Medical treatment
- • Domiciliary care as a regulated provider
- • Standalone taxi or private hire services
- • Statutory decision making
- • Legal representation
- • Emergency crisis response
Where a person requires regulated care or clinical input, this must be provided by an appropriately registered provider or qualified professional.
TishAbility can work alongside those providers to support access, routines, communication, preparation, transitions, life skills, community participation, wellbeing activities and implementation of agreed recommendations.