Short Breaks gives adults with learning disabilities and/or autism a change from their daily routine and an opportunity to socialise in their community outside of their family home, whilst enabling their family carer to maintain their own health and well-being by providing a break from their caring responsibilities.

There are currently five sites across Surrey which can provide up to 33 beds per night. But capacity is often reduced to cater for the increasingly complex needs of individuals, particularly those with behaviour that challenges, to ensure that the needs of the individuals’ accessing services can be met safely by staff

To enable adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who meet the Council’s eligibility criteria for Adult Social Care (ASC) funding to have their need for overnight Short Breaks met in a modern, fit for purpose and future-proofed setting with all the necessary facilities and amenities. The new building will replace the ageing building currently on the Squirrels site.

New Short Breaks accommodation is being developed in Woking. The intention is to transfer the Short Breaks service to Woking and then redevelop the Squirrels site. Eventually there will be a new Short Breaks service in both locations.

The new accommodation is for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism; they may also have physical disabilities.

All bedrooms and guest communal spaces are designed to accommodate the increased activity zones needed by service users with learning disabilities and/or autism and their care workers and to meet the functionality requirements of people who use wheelchairs. Following best practice for the design of spaces for people with autism, the landscape design includes variations in the level of sensory stimulation with distinct zones, some designed to encourage social interaction, and others for privacy. A state-of-the art sensory room will be included, as well as facilities for care workers to support individuals.

Some people with a learning disability and/or autism may express themselves and/or communicate in ways that can be noisy. The proposed development has been designed with this in mind and the building has additional sound insulation and extensive landscaped grounds, deliberately designed to offer private outdoor space. Screen planting and fencing will be used to create ‘buffer’ zones which will help to maintain privacy and lower noise levels experienced both by the residents and their neighbours. It is unlikely that the noise levels from the new accommodation will be any greater than from the existing short breaks service on the Squirrels site.

There are 8 ensuite bedrooms so we can accommodate a maximum of 8 people at any one time

The length of stay can vary depending on the needs of the individual, from a day / overnight to a week or more

No; the service users will not pose a risk to surrounding residents. The service is not intended for people with forensic needs or for people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system. The Short Breaks service is designed for adults with a learning disability and/or autism who currently live with family.

No; there will be no permanent residents and there will be no need for service users to register with local GP services or other healthcare providers.

Yes, there will be care workers on site but not on a “living in” basis; there will be teams of daytime and night-time care workers to support users of the service

No – the building has deliberately been set out in a manner such that no neighbouring homes will be overlooked.

Yes; the property is registered at the Land Registry with “title absolute” and the owner is Surrey County Council

The building has been designed as a square based around a central courtyard with bedrooms on two sides, communal areas on the third and staffing areas and plant rooms on the fourth. It is a single storey building with terracotta panel walls. The roof slopes inwards towards the courtyard. The gardens have been designed for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, with sensory planting, social spaces and quiet areas.

Yes; the building and its surroundings have been designed to meet and exceed Building Regulations Approved Document M4(3) for individuals who use wheelchairs.

Yes; all parking spaces on the site will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points and at least two will be fast-charge points

There will be six parking spaces including two visitor bays and an additional drop-off bay for people with disabilities. In addition visitors will be able to park nearby in the car park on The Horseshoe which is less than 5 minutes’ walk from the site.

This will be a single storey building no higher than 4.5-5m; it replaces a taller two-storey building so it will be less visible than its predecessor.

The building will be all-electric for heating and hot water and use the latest energy saving technology including power generated by air source heat pumps and solar/photovoltaic panels. Where possible energy saving appliances, devices and equipment will be installed.

The planning application has now been submitted, and will shortly be able to be seen here.

The planning application has now been submitted, and will shortly be able to be seen here.

The landscape has been designed to retain as many trees and hedges as possible. Any trees removed will be replaced and we are planning to improve on the current levels of biodiversity with new native planting to encourage wildlife.