What is Wasdale?  

Wasdale is a Resource Centre in Wakefield, which provides short term breaks for disabled children.  Breaks can be ‘residential’ with children staying and sleeping at Wasdale, or children who do not want or need to stay overnight can come for part or all of the day.  Breaks can last from just a few hours to 2-3 days.  With prior notice, longer periods of stay in special circumstances can be arranged.  Demand for these places can be very high and therefore there will be occasions when they cannot be agreed.

Breaks are planned in advance with families being given care dates for the following month.  However, in the event of a crisis, such as the illness of carers, Wasdale can usually provide an emergency placement.  

Breaks at Wasdale provide stimulating and enjoyable experiences for each child or young person.  They enable them to develop skills and interests through taking part in lots of different activities.  

Wasdale also offers support to families.  It gives them chance to have a break from the responsibilities of caring, knowing that their child is being safely looked after in a friendly and positive environment.  Parents often use this opportunity to have some quality time with their children, or they may just enjoy a good nights sleep.

As is legally required, Wasdale is a fully registered residential home and meets National Care Standards.  It is inspected regularly and copies of all inspection reports are available to be read at Wasdale.  

As a further legal requirement, all children and young people who stay at Wasdale on a residential basis are ‘looked after’ by the Local Authority.  This means that the Local Authority has to make sure that each child is appropriately cared for, visited and reviewed.   At all times, parents keep full responsibility.  The ‘looked after’ arrangements ceases at the end of each break.   You may like to ask a social worker or the staff at Wasdale to explain these ‘looked after’ arrangements to you in more detail.  

There is more information about Wasdale in the Centre’s ‘Statement of Purpose and Function’.  There is also a separate brochure for children and young people. Copies of both can be obtained from Wasdale.  

Where is Wasdale?
Wasdale is situated on the Flanshaw Estate in Wakefield about 2 miles from the City Centre.  There is car parking at the rear of the building which is accessed from Flanshaw Road.  

The building itself is designed to blend into the locality and not appear institutional.  Therefore, apart from being quite large and with a sizeable outdoor play area, Wasdale looks similar to other houses in the area.  

Wasdale is on a bus route from the City Centre.