Aiming High
Aiming High is a programme of activities and short breaks for children and young people aged 0-18 years old with a special educational need/disability (SEND) who live in Staffordshire. Activities are available to anyone with additional needs who is not able to access ‘universal’ activities in the same way that their peers without additional needs can. An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not needed.
The Aiming High programme forms part of Staffordshire County Council’s local offer to provide short breaks for children and young people with a disability, and their parents/carers.
The programme is designed to:
- boost children and young people’s confidence
- increase children and young people’s independence
- provide families with a short break and/or an enjoyable time with their family
Some activities are open to the whole family while other activities are suitable for children and young people to attend independently.
Activities include:
- Sensory experiences, day trips, sports, youth clubs, nature and outdoor activities and much more
Free activities every month
Children and young people can access two free activities each month.
How to book activities
We have launched a new online booking platform for Aiming High activities, which has been created in response to the feedback that many parents and carers have shared with us. The new booking platform is called EEQU and it is already the booking platform used for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Below, you will find all the details you need to get started and to make bookings.
Do I need to pre-register?
No. You don’t need to do anything in advance, you just need to book. When you make your first booking, your EEQU account will be automatically created. All you need is a name, email and password.
If you have used EEQU for HAF bookings, then you will already have an account. You can use that same account to make Aiming High bookings.
How do I get started?
Here is a quick and easy guide to help you get started with EEQU. The article includes a short 3-minute video that walks you through the process step by step:
How parents book a SEND Short Break - EEQU Help Centre
Below is a link to the Staffordshire Aiming High booking page, where you can view all activities (also called 'listings') uploaded so far and book activities when bookings open.
Staffordshire Aiming High - EEQU
When do bookings open?
Bookings will open on the first day of the month at 7:30am for activities taking place in the following month (i.e. 1 July at 7:30am for activities taking place in August and on 1 August at 7:30am for activities taking place in September, and so on, even if this date falls on a weekend or bank holiday).
For parents who still wish to call to make a booking, this is still possible by calling 0300 111 8007 (Option 2, then option 3). However, please note that our phone lines do not open until 9:00am on weekdays only, so the best way to secure a booking is to use the EEQU booking platform from 7:30am on the first day of the month. You can ask someone to help you or do it for you (as long as they either use your email address or commit to sending you all the booking information).
