Fostering

Short breaks

What is short breaks?

Many families with children who have disabilities benefit from regular respite provision. We are seeking short break foster carers who can offer regular placements to up to 6 children a year, including school holidays. This ensures the child is cared for in a family setting and provides a consistent, lasting connection with a foster carer. It is a salaried scheme and means that a foster carer can provide consistent connection and support to a group of families and commit to the role fully as their main form of employment. The children would be aged 6-18 and would have a range of needs. Short Breaks carers would need to provide up to 260 days of care in a year which would comprise of weekends, days in the week and during school holidays.

Who can be a short breaks carer?

Short breaks carers come from all age groups and all walks of life and it would be desirable to have previous experience of working with children with disabilities. All you need is to be able to offer a child somewhere to stay overnight. Once approved, Short Breaks carers are carefully matched up with a child who is gradually introduced to them. If this goes well, carers and family agree a regular pattern of visits, perhaps an overnight stay every two or three weeks or one weekend a month. This will happen with up to 6 children with whom the carer is matched with.

Who needs a short breaks placement?

The short breaks service receives referrals from the children with disabilities team, when a child has been assessed as needing overnight short breaks. Many of the children have a mixture of health conditions and learning needs and are aged 0-18. Children usually stay with their carers for one weekend per month, but this can vary depending on the needs of the child and their family. This can also include holiday periods and week days. We are currently seeking placements for several children of different ages, with varying levels of need. We would encourage anyone with an interest in supporting children with disabilities to contact us for more information.

What will you receive in return?

You will:

• Have the support of a dedicated fostering social worker.
• Have the support of a team of professionals who are working with the young people in your care and who can offer you advice and support.
• Have access to a full training programme, some of which will commence during your assessment period.
• Have access to 24 hour support when the offices are closed via the foster care support line and EDT.
• Receive a weekly fee of £349.58 plus fostering allowances.