The Wraparound Care Crisis

What Happens When the School Gates Close?

Elias sits on his mother's lap in a high Vis vest as they attend Elias' end of term school family picnic

Today, as the summer holidays are in full swing for most UK parents, I've been reflecting. For most working parents, the maths has never added up. A typical employment contract gives you around 5 weeks of annual leave, while the school year has 13 weeks of holidays. The gap is vast — and nearly impossible to bridge without help.

Now add a layer of complexity: your child has additional needs.

They’re thriving during term time. They’ve got structure, stimulation, professionals who understand them. And then suddenly… it’s the six-week summer break. Everything stops. The progress, the support, the rhythm.

Elias demonstrates his gross motor skills progress by standing confidently at a desk at school (something he still hates doing at home!)

The options for working parents in this situation are painfully limited. Most mainstream holiday clubs and summer camps simply aren’t designed to include children who require extra support. That’s a horrible realisation. Not only does it mean you’re left scrambling for options, but it also sends a message: your child doesn’t belong here.

It’s not just about childcare. It’s about continuity, belonging, and development. Children with SEND benefit immensely from routine and familiarity. Long, unstructured holidays can feel like they undo months of hard work.

We’re fortunate that our son’s SENCO lead is working closely with us to explore alternative options — like continued funded physio sessions throughout the holidays, wraparound care provided by Elias' wonderful 1:1 who happens to live very close to us, short breaks through social care, and targeted holiday clubs that can offer specialist support. But it shouldn’t depend on luck, or on who you know, to get the right help.

So what can families do?

Here are some useful resources we’ve come across:

Contact – The charity for families with disabled children

Brilliant advice on childcare, school holidays and your rights as a parent carer.

GOV.UK – Help with childcare

Information on childcare support schemes, including for disabled children.

The Family Fund

Offers grants that can help with the cost of specialist clubs or respite care.

Short Breaks – Local Authority Offer

Search your local authority’s SEND Local Offer to see what short break/respite services are available in your area.

KIDS – Inclusive Play and Holiday Clubs

Provides inclusive childcare and playschemes in several parts of the UK.

These are lifelines — but they often have waiting lists, strict eligibility criteria, or are underfunded. The truth is, the system still isn’t set up for families like ours.

Why this matters

This isn’t just a parenting inconvenience. It’s a barrier to employment. A mental health issue. A question of inclusion. Parent carers are already more likely to work part-time or be pushed out of the workforce entirely. Without proper wraparound care, that gap will only widen.

We’re not asking for luxuries. We’re asking for access. For equality. For our children to be welcomed into spaces where they can grow, just like their peers.

And for us, as parents, to be able to work and care without having to choose between the two.