Short Breaks Scheme - carer's guide

 

The Short Break Scheme aims to link disabled children and their families with carers who can provide them with regular short-term care. Most children who use the service have a learning difficulty, though they may have a physical disability, complex health care needs or a sensory impairment. The scheme provides a vital support service to families of disabled children and benefits the children by enabling them to make new friends and do new things.

 

 

Short breaks are regular short periods of time that is offered to the disabled child usually in the carer’s home. This can be anything from a few hours a week to a few days a month. This gives the child the opportunity to make new friends and take part in a variety of activities within the local community such as going to the shops, the park or swimming.

 

 

Short break carers look after disabled children regularly for short periods of time. They are ordinary people like you and come from a variety of backgrounds. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years and no upper limit.

 

You could be working, retired or unemployed, with or without children, single or with a partner.

You do not need any special qualifications. Some carers have experience of working with disabled children and some do not. What they have in common is enjoying the company of children and being able to regularly look after a disabled child and give their family a break.

 

 

A social worker from the scheme will meet you to explain the scheme and give you an application form.

 

Once you have completed the application form, various checks will be undertaken, including police, health and probation and personal references will be taken up. The social worker from the scheme will spend time getting to know you and your immediate family and will compile a report with you which is then presented to the Foster Panel so that you can be approved as a short break carer.

 

 

The scheme social worker will be interested in your accommodation, where you live, means of transport, the ages of your own children, your interests and the amount of time which you have to offer the scheme. They will also take into account your own wishes and preferences in terms of who you could offer care to. All this information helps to identify the child who would benefit most from your support. The social worker will always try to link you with a child who will get on well with you and your family and vice versa.

 

 

Initially, introductory visits will be arranged between you, the child and their family. If you are all happy to continue, a short visit will be arranged to see how the child settles in. These visits will be gradually extended.

 

The amount of time that the child can have is agreed with the child, their family, their social worker, yourself and the scheme social worker.

 

The time depends on how much you feel able to offer. It varies between a few hours at a time, to an overnight stay or a visit for a whole weekend. Sometimes it can be for a longer periods.

 

 

Once you are matched to a family, you usually arrange the sessions between yourselves. A placement agreement is written so that everyone knows the amount of hours/sessions agreed each month.

 

 

Carers are paid an allowance each time they provide care for the child. This payment is to cover their expenses so that you are not out of pocket. The amount changes yearly. The scheme social worker will inform you of the current amount.

 

 

You will need to fill in a payment form and return this to the scheme social worker, and payment will be made into your bank account.

 

 

No. You do not need to declare on your tax form that you are providing short breaks via the scheme.

 

 

You will receive regular support from the scheme social worker, particularly when a link to a child is first arranged. Once a year the scheme social worker and you will discuss the short break arrangements (this is called a review). Carer’s reviews are about maintaining and developing your skills and giving you an opportunity to voice your views and raise any issues you wish.

 

 

Families usually provide the transport to and from the short break carer’s home. If this is not possible, the short break carer may provide the transport and claim expenses for the petrol.

 

 

No, experience of looking after children, whether your own or friends, and enjoying the company of children is more important.

 

Training is given in order to help you prepare for the individual needs of the child you will be looking after. All short break carers are supported by the scheme social worker.

 

What you do need is some spare time, the willingness to commit to becoming a regular carer for a disabled child and the energy to provide breaks to a child who may require a high level of support and supervision.

 

 

You should notify your own insurance company that you are providing short breaks to disabled children via the scheme. If your insurance policy covers the contents of your home, then you should be covered.

 

Wokingham Borough Council has Public Liability Cover which will cover legal liability for injury, loss or damage to third parties. We also have Personal Accident / Assault cover in place for short break carers.

 

Further information regarding insurance can be obtained from the scheme social worker.

 

 

If you are interested in becoming a short break carer or finding out more information about the Short Break Scheme, contact the scheme social worker:

 

Short Break Scheme
Disabled Children’s Team
Highwood Annexe

Fairwater Drive

Woodley
RG5 3RU

Telephone: 0118 974 6881 / 6890