The Parent Carer Guide to Days Out and Holidays
The idea of a holiday or even a day out with the children can feel daunting at times, especially when you are caring for a child with additional needs, but family trips that feel fun, relaxed and enjoyable are important.
With a little advance preparation, the right questions to hand and a bit of support from people happy to help along the way, you and your family can help you feel more confident and even excited to get out and about and enjoy some important quality time together.
So, if you’re a parent carer planning a trip somewhere with your family, our handy checklist covers some helpful things to think about to ensure a good time is had by all.
Choosing where you are going to go
Whether you’re planning a day trip or a holiday further afield, choosing somewhere that works for everyone is a big decision and will depend on a wide range of factors. Making a list as a family of your individual wishes and desires, as well as your specific requirements in terms of access and particular needs, can help focus your planning.
Great questions to ask as you consider different options and begin to plan include:
- Is the location accessible for everyone? Is the journey manageable?
- Do they offer suitable toilets, or is there a Changing Place nearby if you need one?
- Are there activities for everyone to take part in together as much as possible?
- Does the venue offer off-peak, quieter or adapted sessions that could be better for you as a family?
- Do they offer special assistance or disability access support?
Most venues, transport companies and holiday destinations offer detailed access guides to help you make informed decisions and choose the right options for you. Apps like AccessAble can help too by telling you what facilities are offered in towns, restaurants and hotels in the UK, whilst Google Street View within Google Maps can help you plan the most suitable routes for you and your family.
Many places will also often have an accessibility department or a contact who you can talk to about your specific needs, so it’s always worth getting in touch with them in advance. Informing people about your particular needs means they can be prepared to do all they can to support you and make your time with them special.
If you’re planning a trip to the country, Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) also provides helpful information so you and your family can follow wheelchair-friendly paths, hire adaptive mountain bikes and take part in all sorts of other recreational activities with tailored support - though not necessarily all in one day.
Travel and transport
If you’re travelling by car, the People's Parking website gives information about the location, accessibility and facilities available at car parks across the UK. If your child has certain needs, you may well qualify for a Blue Badge, and our website has more detail on this here. Many places offer free or discounted blue badge parking, so checking in advance is always worthwhile.
If you are going to be using public transport, bus passes that offer free off-peak travel and free companion cards for parent carers are available across the UK, though details will differ slightly from place to place, so doing your research in advance is key. You can find out if your child qualifies for a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass on your local authority’s website.
If you are intending to travel by train and your child qualifies for a Disabled Person’s railcard, as their parent carer you will be entitled to ⅓ off regular fares. The Two Together and Family and Friends cards can also offer good discounts, and you can find out more here.
Most transport services and local authorities also offer their own form of assistance card that you can use as a simple and discreet way to communicate your child’s needs whilst travelling on public transport or coach services. You can find out about accessibility at each station on your journey too, and National Rail offers Passenger Assist services for all its train routes; you can find more information about how to book Passenger Assist services in advance on their website.
Support with the cost of a day out or holiday
When you are planning a day trip or holiday with the family, it is always worth exploring whether the venue or resort offers free or discounted places for you as a carer. Some venues like theatres, stadiums and national parks offer ‘Essential Companion’ tickets, though because each provider may offer something different, checking in advance is a good plan. Certain cinemas offer free tickets to parent carers too, so applying for a CEA card from the Cinema Exhibitors Association can support with costs if you’re planning a fun family movie night out.
Some organisations, such as carer support groups and holiday providers can also offer parent carers assistance with the cost of a day out or UK holiday. This usually comes from specific grant funding, so speaking to your local carer organisation or specific venue about what grants they might have available can be a great idea. Our article on accessing respite as a parent carer goes into this in more detail here.
Providing evidence that you are a carer
In order to access discounted places and other services, organisations often require proof that you are a parent carer. They might ask you to bring a DLA or PIP letter, Carer’s Allowance form, or letter from your local carer organisation. Some local authorities offer a form of Carer’s Card that proves your status as a carer, and some places also accept the Access Card, which offers a discreet way of letting organisations know about your child’s needs and your role as their carer. (The Access Card app also provides you with a handy personalised directory of venues, with up-to-date accessibility information to help you plan your day out.)
As always, checking in advance what ID you might need to provide is the best way to be prepared and avoid unnecessary hold ups. Knowing that you’ve prepared in advance will go a long way to ensuring things go smoothly.
Helping you to have the best time
Planning a trip for the whole family can involve a lot of planning, and as a parent carer you may have a lot to think about when it comes to looking after a child with additional needs, but hopefully with some advance planning, you are able to enjoy it too. For more information and inspiration, our Carers First Days Out Directory is packed full of fun ideas and free activities for you and your family to explore.