The Concept
DLA higher rate care requires night-time attention. This can be:
Prolonged attention:
Being awake for 20+ minutes at a time to help your child
Repeated attention:
Being woken 2+ times during the night to help your child
You don't need both. Either can qualify. Many children need both.
What Counts
Prolonged (20+ minutes at once):
- Settling after night terror (30 minutes)
- Dealing with bedwetting and changing sheets (25 minutes)
- Helping with anxiety or distress (40 minutes)
- Medical intervention (seizure management)
Repeated (2+ times per night):
- Waking to check on child due to seizure risk
- Child waking and needing attention multiple times
- Checking and changing for incontinence
- Repositioning for physical needs
Describing Sleep Needs
Be specific about frequency and duration:
Repeated:
"Wakes 3-4 times per night on average. Each waking requires attention, sometimes just verbal reassurance (5 minutes), sometimes physical comfort (15-20 minutes). Pattern has been consistent for 2+ years."
Prolonged:
"When he has a night terror, it takes 30-40 minutes to fully settle him. He doesn't recognise us during the episode. This happens 4-5 times per week."
Both:
"Wakes 3+ times per night (repeated). At least one waking per night requires 20+ minutes of attention (prolonged). Total night-time attention averages 60-90 minutes."
What Aubis Does
Aubis DLA asks about sleep specifically:
- Does your child wake at night?
- How many times?
- How long does each waking take?
- What attention do they need?
- What happens if you don't respond?
It captures the numbers clearly.
Aubis scribes. You decide.
Related Guides
Sources
Reviewed June 2026. Information only — not legal advice.